49ers set new standard with Jauan Jennings' contract

First, it gets Jennings back on the field and solidifies his status for Sunday’s season opener against the Seattle Seahawks. With questions regarding the Niners’ depth at receiving, plugging Jennings back into the offense instantly improves their chances of winning.

Jennings’ new contract also sets the standard of no longer being pushed around in negotiations. San Francisco already gutted their defense and let a handful of pivotal pieces leave in the offseason, such as Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga. Refusing to pay Jennings for the long term was the second step of undoing the precedent the 49ers’ brass set. They can now negotiate in good faith while also recovering the penny-pinching status they once had.

On a personal level, Jennings is now motivated to maximize the final year of his contract before becoming an unrestricted free agent following the season. If he can mirror his 2024 stats of 975 yards and six touchdowns, the receiver will see his market value jump to a figure the 49ers will likely be unable to afford.

While the team is still adamant about wanting to keep Jennings around, losing him would not be the worst outcome. In fact, watching Jennings receive a contract closer to his asking price of $20 million per year, as reported by Tim Kawakami of the San Francisco Standard, would net the 49ers either a third or fourth-round compensatory pick, making the wideout another case in the organization’s successful development of day three draft picks.