Report: Packers unlikely to offer Greg Jennings franchise tag

Greg Jennings is not likely to get the franchise tag, making it more difficult to keep him on the roster. (US Presswire)

Since Aaron Rodgers became the Green Bay Packers' starting quarterback in 2008, few receivers in the league have been more productive or reliable than Greg Jennings.

The Packers' versatile wide receiver grabbed 21 touchdowns from 2010-2011, during which he earned spots in the Pro Bowl in consecutive season. Last spring, Jennings was named No. 56 on NFL Network's Top 100 Players of 2012 list.

But with a precarious salary cap situation and potential long-term deals looming for Rodgers, Clay Matthews, B.J. Raji and Jermichael Finley, Jennings could be playing elsewhere in 2013. The Packers are not expected to offer the franchise tag to the seven-year veteran, according to the Green Bay Press-Gazette.

Green Bay has about $112.086 million of a projected $121.5 salary cap tied in to active contracts for next season, according to Spotrac.com, a website that tracks salaries of every player and team in the NFL. Rodgers' six-year, $63.52 million contract expires after the 2014 season, the same year in which Raji is set to become a free agent. Rodgers' cap hit of $9.75 million in 2013 is arguably one of the top bargains in the league.

A receiver will earn about $10.357 million for a one-year deal in 2013 if the franchise tag is applied to him. Last week, the Packers released Charles Woodson, the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Woodson was set to earn about $10 million in 2013.

Last season, Packers wide receivers Randall Cobb, James Jones and Jordy Nelson combined for 193 receptions, 2,483 receiving yards and 29 touchdowns. If Jennings is not re-signed Jarrett Boykin could be promoted to the No. 4 receiver or the Packers could pursue a wideout with a mid-round pick.

Jennings, who recently put his house up for sale in Green Bay, told the NFL Network last week that he wouldn't mind joining former Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin in Miami. Hampered by a nagging groin injury, Jennings had 36 receptions in eight games in 2012.

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