A former second-round pick, wide receiver Greg Jennings landed in the perfect situation with Green Bay Packers as Jennings played with two of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time. Vaulting Jennings towards a successful, decade-long career that included a championship with the Packers in 2010 before retiring this offseason.
A star in the MAC with Western Michigan, Jennings earned a second round selection from the Packers, who were looking for a young wideout to add to their aerial attack. Finding a perfect fit in Jennings, who was named a starter at wideout after his rookie training camp. Lining up alongside Donald Driver as one of Favre’s top targets right away with the Packers.
After a solid rookie season with 45 catches, Jennings would explode in his second NFL season. Finding the back of the endzone on a frequent basis as Favre’s preferred redzone target, Jennings finishing with an impressive 12 touchdowns despite playing in just 13 games in 2007. Adding seven more catches and two touchdowns in the playoffs for Green Bay as Jennings proved himself as a big-play wideout.
2008 would provide a new scenario for Jennings as Favre would head for the New York Jets and Aaron Rodgers would step into place as the new quarterback. Jennings instantly clicking with Rodgers as he posted career highs in both catches with 80 and receiving yards with 1,292 as the Packers would find a dynamic duo right away in the post-Favre era. Jennings helping Rodgers overcome the challenge of replacing a living legend in Favre during that first season.
2009 would see a decline in touchdowns for Jennings with just four trips to the endzone, but it also marked the beginning of a playoff streak for the Packers in which Jennings was a key player. Breaking 1,000 yards for a second straight season before losing in a shootout with the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Wild Card. Jennings exploding for 130 yards and a touchdown in the 51-45 loss.
After making their first trip to the postseason with Rodgers at quarterback, 2010 would be the year for the Packers as they would run all the way to a championship with Jennings leading the way at wideout. Jennings matching his career high with 12 touchdowns and once again breaking 1,000 yards during the regular season. Leading the way to the playoffs where the Packers had to face the gauntlet as a Wild Card team.
Jennings would elevate his game in the playoffs, helping the Packers past the Eagles and Falcons before putting up a 130 yard performance at Soldier Field as Green Bay would earn their trip to the Super Bowl with a road win over their hated rivals in Chicago to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In the Super Bowl, Jennings would once again be clutch for the Packers. Jennings scoring two touchdowns in the win as the Packers would win their first Super Bowl in the post-Fave era in Green Bay. A championship that Jennings played a crucial role in as Rodgers go-to target during the regular season and the playoffs that year.
Following the Super Bowl, Jennings continued to produce, but injuries would force his way out of Green Bay after the 2012 season. Jennings going the revenge route after parting ways with the Packers, heading to Minnesota to play with the Vikings starting with the 2013 season after getting a five year, $47.5 million contract to switch sides in the NFC North rivalry.
Jennings was never the same player as he was with Rodgers, but still put up 10 touchdowns over two seasons in Minnesota despite no longer having an elite quarterback. The Vikings still cut Jennings after the 2014 season due to his large contract and declining play, sending the former Packers wideout to Miami for 2015 where he once again failed to find the magic he once had with Favre and Rodgers.
A shell of his former self, Jennings caught just 19 passes with a single touchdown for the Dolphins last season. Earning his release from the team and forcing his retirement in July as the end of the road was finally reached for a player who accomplished everything there is to accomplish in the NFL during his 10 year career.
While Jennings failed to break the 1,000 yard mark without Brett Favre or Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, he should be remembered for more than being the benefactor of two of the greatest passers of all-time as without Jennings it is unlikely that Rodgers would have his Super Bowl ring. With 6,000 plus receiving yards and 50+ touchdowns as a member of the Packers, Jennings should be considered an all-time great in Green Bay as his career starts to get reflected on post-retirement. One thing is for certain, both Favre and Rodgers will never forget the impact that Jennings had on the Packers offense as one of the greatest receivers in the history of the franchise.
