National Football League

'Unprofessional' Packers exit helped WR Greg Jennings cut ties with Vikings

Published Jun. 23, 2015 1:53 p.m. ET

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When the Minnesota Vikings released Greg Jennings this offseason, the wide receiver knew to keep quiet this time. Jennings told ESPN's Ben Goessling that he learned from his ugly Green Bay Packers departure following the 2012 season, preparing him for a more gracious exit from Minnesota.

When Jennings and the Packers went their separate ways, he publicly bashed the franchise and quarterback Aaron Rodgers. There was no such bad-mouthing when the Vikings booted him.

"The way I exited Green Bay was very unprofessional," Jennings said, per ESPN. "But I don't feel any of that here. I felt more of a disrespect from Green Bay, honestly. It was more dealing with myself—it was, 'Man, I really wanted to stay in Green Bay.' I really wanted to stay here [in Minnesota], but I've grown so much in my faith, to where I recognize where God is moving and making change.

"It just was really something I was dealing with myself. I had to recognize that I had a level of pride to where I felt like, 'Wow, I went through all of this.' It was almost a sense of entitlement, like, 'Wow, I dedicated my entire career, and [there's] no fight, no want? It's almost like you disowned your child. But that's what I was feeling—and again, selfishly. Bottom line, I was hurt, because I did want to stay. But I wasn't willingly embracing change at that moment. It's unfortunate, but I've been very apologetic to them personally. I don't have a lot of things where I wish it wouldn't have happened. I definitely wish I would have handled that better."

Jennings, who is far removed from his Pro Bowl seasons of 2010 and 2011, told ESPN that he first knew things weren't going to work in Minnesota during the season last year. After two seasons, Jennings' run with the Vikings with 127 catches for 1,546 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Jennings, 31, is now starting a new chapter of his NFL career with the Miami Dolphins.

(h/t ESPN)

Photo Credit: Reinhold Matay/Contract Photographer

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