Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Jauan Jennings has become a fan favorite among San Francisco 49ers fans. The wide receiver’s physical style of play and knack for making clutch catches have made him a vital part of head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense, and a joy to watch for The Faithful.
Last year, the 49ers replaced his second-round tender with a two-year, $15.4 million contract running through the upcoming season. However, there is growing uncertainty surrounding his future with the team, as the 49ers underwent a massive offseason roster overhaul, parting ways with several aging, high-priced veterans.
The 49ers have invested heavily at the wide receiver position. After using a first-round pick to add Ricky Pearsall, they signed Brandon Aiyuk to a lucrative deal last year and spent two more draft picks on wide receivers this year. They also have high hopes for 2024 selection Jacob Cowing.
Kyle Crabbs, known for his work at The Draft Network, compiled a list for A to Z Sports of five players who may play their final down with the 49ers during the 2025 season, and Jennings topped the list.
“Jennings has been the sneaky counter-punch for the 49ers’ passing offense for several seasons — until last year,” Crabbs wrote. “His targets exploded in 2024, pushing him to nearly 1,000 receiving yards in the first year of a two-year contract signed last offseason.”
Jennings likely would have reached that milestone had he not been controversially ejected from the 49ers’ season finale against the Arizona Cardinals. The veteran wideout still finished the year with 77 catches for 975 receiving yards and six touchdowns—all career highs.
For now, the 49ers aren’t pressed for salary cap space, so keeping Jennings on the roster beyond 2025 remains a possibility. However, Crabbs is skeptical of the team’s ability to afford him long-term.
“Jennings could very easily be tabbed as a more long-term option,” he wrote, “but with the team paying Brock Purdy, George Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk, and Christian McCaffrey, the 49ers may deem themselves to be facing too steep of a numbers crunch with their skill group to run it back after 2025.
“Especially if there’s another productive season like the one Jennings had last year.”
The other players on Crabbs’ list of potential 49ers departures after 2025 include offensive linemen Colton McKivitz and Spencer Burford, along with defensive linemen Yetur Gross-Matos and Jordan Elliott.
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