The weather and location of Green Bay were at least contributing factors to why veteran receiver Emmanuel Sanders picked the New Orleans Saints over the Packers in free agency.
Sanders, who agreed to sign a two-year deal with the Saints, told Rich Eisen of “The Rich Eisen Show” that playing indoors in the south appealed more to him than playing in the cold up in Green Bay.
“It’s just Green Bay, that cold weather, Rich, I wasn’t trying to do it, man” Sanders said. “To be in a dome 12 games out of the year in a pass-heavy offense or go to Green Bay? I can’t do it. I’d rather go to New Orleans. I’m from the south. My grandma is six hours away, can come to all the games. I can have my family drive up. It’s just a perfect opportunity for me.”
Sanders, now 33, also said the Packers offered a three-year deal, and he wanted to sign a shorter deal.
The frigid temperatures and wintery conditions in Green Bay during football season can be a major turnoff for some players, especially those from southern regions of the country. Sanders grew up near Houston, Texas, and played college football at SMU in Dallas. Like Sanders mentioned, the drive from Bellville, his hometown, to New Orleans is just over six hours.
The quarterback wasn’t a major factor. He said Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers both offered an opportunity to play with “greatness.”
The receiver-needy Packers were clearly one of the finalists to land Sanders, a two-time Pro Bowler who finished last season with the San Francisco 49ers. After Sanders agreed to sign in New Orleans, the Packers agreed to a one-year deal with former Carolina Panthers receiver Devin Funchess.
Sanders caught 66 passes for 869 yards and five touchdowns last season.
