No Progress Reported On Jennings Contract Talks

In February, the Green Bay Press Gazette reported the Packers were expected to begin contract extension talks with receiver Greg Jennings. In March, it was reported that Jennings was Green Bay’s top re-signing priority, ahead of safety Nick Collins. Now it’s June, and there hasn’t been a hint of progress from the two sides. Greg A. Bedard of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel details a recent encounter with the NFL’s sixth-leading receiver from a year ago. “I kidded [Jennings] about buying up all the auction items at James Jones’ recent charity event. Jones and I both both said Jennings’ big money must be close to fruition. A dead-serious Jennings replied, ‘Then you guys must know something I don’t, that’s for sure.’ ” Jennings has laudably stayed quiet, shown up to practice, and isn’t seeking to make this a big story. He’s taken the route we wish other wide receivers would consider. Jennings is also one of the most underpaid players in football with a scheduled base salary of $535,000. (For perspective, less productive teammate Donald Driver is scheduled to make $6.1 million, and he’s not totally happy about it.) G.M. Ted Thompson has built an excellent talent base by avoiding big free-agent spending in favor of drafting, developing, and retaining his key pieces. The team has plenty of cap space. The onus is now on Thompson to make a deal with one of the best draft picks of his tenure. If not, the players in the locker room may wonder if anyone but the quarterback is ever going to get paid big dollars in Green Bay.