Jan 5, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings (85) during the NFC Wild Card playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field. The Packers won 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Committing over $10 million dollars via the franchise tag sounds like an overpay. Don’t tell that to Jennings. If he’s able to hit the open market, he will be seeking close to $12 million per season according to Pro Football Talk.

Of course, “seeking” and “getting” are two completely different things. A $12 million salary would rank third among wide receivers – behind Calvin Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald – and while Jennings can still be productive, no one will mistake him for one of the NFL’s true elite receivers.

Even before rumblings of Jennings’ contract desires were made known, the Lions were not thought to be contenders for him in free agency. The Lions have too many holes and too little money to drop even a reasonable sum on Jennings. It would be nice if that wasn’t the case, but is the reality the Lions face (once again) this offseason.

This should also put to rest any talk that Greg Jennings might come back to play in his native Michigan at a hometown discount.

Dec 30, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings (85) catches a pass for 8 yards against the Minnesota Vikings in the second quarter at the Metrodome. The Vikings win 37-34. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Big names have a tendency to get fans excited during free agency. One of those that could be available for the Lions this offseason is Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings.

In many ways, the fit seems natural. Jennings appears on his way out of Green Bay with the emergence of other receiving weapons like Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb. In fact, Jennings has already listed his Green Bay-area home for sale. The Lions have a need for an outside receiver and Jennings is still plenty capable of contributing at a high level. Add in the fact that Jennings is a Kalamazoo-native and attended Western Michigan University and a deal feels like a no-brainer.

Ah, but then there is that whole business of the money. Time to hit the brakes on that Lions-Jennings dream.

Just saw Greg Jennings doing an interview. I let myself wonder for a minute. Don’t even think about it though Lions fans. Too $$

— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) January 31, 2013

Is it impossible? No, there is probably very little that is really impossible. But I have a hard time believing Twentyman would be as strong as he was unless the chances of Jennings becoming a Lions were highly unlikely. Lions fans are better off dreaming about big name free agents that are more realistic targets. Perhaps Reggie Bush…

He fits what they want. Hoping he’s down here in Nola to talk about it “@coach_vgii_09: Whats chances of bring in Reggie Bush?! @ttwentyman”

— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) February 1, 2013

The comparison is not meant to determine which list is more right, they are separate snapshots in time. This will only serve as a look at how certain players performed in the context of what was expected.

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