The controversial decision to deal Percy Harvin has left the Vikings devoid of pass-catchers, but sources say Packers longtime No. 1 wide receiver Greg Jennings is visiting Minnesota Thursday.
The 29-year-old Jennings has spent all seven years of his professional career in Green Bay, topping out in 2010 with a 76-catch, 1,265 yard, 12-touchdown season that ended with a Super Bowl victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Since then, Jennings has missed 11 games in the past two seasons.
Despite his recent injury concerns, the Vikings only have three receivers on the roster with any NFL experience, and that thin group is headlined by Jerome Simpson. Simpson started 10 games last season and caught 26 balls for 274 yards. His best season was in 2011, when he had 50 receptions, 725 yards and four touchdowns. Needless to say, signing Jennings would represent a tremendous upgrade.
Vikings' quarterback Christian Ponder was careful not to insult his current crop of targets but showed interest in potentially throwing passes to Jennings. ''He's as great player. He's been doing great things in Green Bay, and he'd bring leadership to that position. Kind of a dynamic guy you can put in the slot and outside. I've always admired his work in Green Bay, and he seems like a great guy to have on a team.''
Jennings is five years older than Harvin and does not present the same dual threat of rushing and receiving, but he does offer consistency that Harvin has lacked in his young career. Jennings has topped 1,000 receiving yards three times and caught 12 touchdown passes twice. Harvin's career high in receiving yards is 967 and he has never had more than six receiving touchdowns in a season.
With Mike Wallace signing a five-year deal with the Dolphins, Wes Welker signing a two-year deal with the Denver Broncos and Dwayne Bowe re-upping in Kansas City for five years Jennings is the final upper-tier unrestricted free agent wideout on the market. Victor Cruz has not been locked up but the Giants have the ability to match any offer. If Cruz is signed away from Big Blue, the team that gets him must also give up a first-round pick.
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