49ers' Jauan Jennings breaks down incredible touchdown pass

Jauan Jennings' touchdown pass in Super Bowl 58 took everyone who wasn't aware the play was coming by surprise, though perhaps what was most shocking was the poise the wide receiver showed after catching the initial pass from Brock Purdy.

With a defender barrelling down on him Jennings surveyed the field and found a wide open Christian McCaffrey, who found a running lane and surged into the endzone for a 21-yard score. 

It put the Niners up 10-0 and, on another night, would have gone down as an all-time great moment in franchise history.

As it was, the 49ers couldn't hang on to the lead and came out on the wrong end of an undulating classic, losing another heartbreaker to the Kansas City Chiefs, four years on from their previous Super Bowl loss to the same opponents, 25-22 in overtime.

So Jennings' play will be a spectacular footnote in the story of another Super Bowl that got away, but the wideout's explanation of how the play went was reflective of the composure he displayed in that moment in the biggest game of his life.

“It was one by three formation. I had a short route to the outside of the bunch, made sure I got behind the line of scrimmage, that’s all I could be the backwards pass, then I had to look for the middle route," Jennings told his post-game press conference. 

"We had a middle route coming up across the middle that was Brayden Willis. He was triple teamed, and I turn back to throw to Christian McCaffrey who was wide open."

Asked if he predicted he would throw a touchdown on the play, Jennings replied: "No sir, I can't say I did think I would, play was called, and I was just ready when my number was called."

Jennings is consistently ready when his number is called, usually to make a big-time catch or deliver determined blocking. On this occasion, the high school quarterback showed off impressive processing skills and a strong arm. 

They won't be traits the 49ers will call on consistently, but Jennings' willingness to do anything and his prowess for rising to the occasion are two huge reasons why the 49ers will be eager to keep the restricted free agent around in 2024.