Veteran wide receiver Greg Jennings took to YouTube to announce his retirement from the NFL. Jennings’ productivity has declined in recent years, and in his announcement, he made it clear that he’s pleased with his decision.
Greg Jennings announces his retirement after 10 years in the NFL
After a productive career, Jennings is finished with football.
Jeanna Kelley has been covering the Falcons for The Falcoholic since 2011 and the NFL for SB Nation since 2015.
“I’ve got some news to share with you guys,” Jennings says, smiling. “Football is over. I’m done. No more big hits. No more, ‘Touchdown, Greg Jennings.’”
Jennings clarified that while he is done playing football, he may not be done with football entirely.
“At least within the lines of a football field, I’m done, and I’m excited to be done,” Jennings said.
Jennings, 32, was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He spent his first seven years with the Packers and enjoyed success catching passes from Aaron Rodgers. Jennings’ career peak was between 2007-10, when he averaged 69 catches, 1,147 yards and nine touchdowns per season.
In 2013, Jennings signed a five-year, $45 million contract with the Vikings, but his production quickly declined. He had 59 catches for 742 yards and six touchdowns in 2014, but Minnesota decided to save the cap hit and released him. Jennings joined the Dolphins on a two-year deal worth $8 million, but he did even less, recording just 19 catches for 208 yards and a touchdown. The Dolphins wasted little time cutting Jennings in the offseason.
The decline in productivity and the fact that he remained a free agent since being cut by the Dolphins surely contributed to Jennings’ decision to retire, and he seems pleased with the choice.
“The past 20 years of my life has been football,” Jennings said, “but today that all changes, and this smile is not going to be removed. It’s going to be enhanced.”
Jennings’ wife and four young children remained in Minnesota when he signed with Miami, and his decision to retire means he’ll be reunited with his family permanently as opposed to potentially landing in a new city. After a long and productive career, Jennings seems happy to be closing the door on this chapter of his life.
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