Jauan Jennings’ Asking Price Too High

A 2020 seventh-round pick from Tennessee, Jennings debuted a year later and went on to post modest numbers over the next three seasons. The 6-foot-3, 212-pounder caught a touchdown and threw for one in the 49ers’ loss to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII, though, and he carried that momentum into 2024. After entering the campaign with 72 catches, 963 yards and seven TDs in 45 career games, Jennings notched 77 receptions, 975 yards and six scores in a 15-game breakout showing.

Riding the wave of a career year, Jennings sought an extension or a trade heading into last season. Neither came to fruition, though the 49ers added $3MM in incentives to his contract in early September. Jennings and the 49ers likely expected similar or better numbers, especially after the team traded away fellow receiver Deebo Samuel and went without the injured/MIA Brandon Aiyuk. While Jennings grabbed a career-best nine TDs, he fell to 55 receptions and 643 yards during a 15-game season in which he battled rib and ankle injuries.

Since free agency opened, receivers Jalen Nailor, Mike Evans, Rashid Shaheed, Romeo Doubs, Wan’Dale Robinson and Alec Pierce have signed contracts ranging from $35MM in total value to $114MM. Anything on the higher end of that range was never realistic for Jennings, but coming into the offseason, he seemed likely to end up somewhere in that group. While that is still possible, it will be a challenge at this stage of free agency. Unsigned wideouts like Jennings, Samuel, Keenan Allen, Stefon Diggs, Tyreek Hill and DeAndre Hopkins might not have answers on their futures until after the draft.

Having added Evans and Christian Kirk to their receiving corps in free agency, it appears unlikely the 49ers will bring Jennings back in 2026. Notably, though, general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan are still fond of him.

“Jauan’s one of my favorite players and one of Kyle’s favorite players,” Lynch said last Sunday (via Barrows and Tafur). “He’ll find a good home. And I think Jauan will go play great football for someone.”