The 49ers are thrilled to welcome Mike Evans to the Bay after signing the veteran star wide receiver to a three-year contract during NFL free agency.

However, San Francisco will miss Jauan Jennings, who was a reliable fixture at the position over the last five years, as the deal with Evans makes Jennings the odd man out. 

49ers general manager John Lynch explained why the team opted to sign Evans over Jennings when speaking to reporters at the NFL Annual Meeting in Phoenix.

“You know, that’s hard, because Jauan’s played such good football for us,” Lynch said. “We made a lot of efforts to try to get Jauan done long-term in the end. Last year, we came up with a one-year deal with some incentives, and Jauan, to his credit, went and earned those. He was a pro.

“Things worked out with Mike. I thought we got him on a good deal. He really wanted to be a part of our organization, and that’s humbling. 
And, we’re fortunate to have a player of his ilk, of his character. And we’re thrilled to have him — our players are.”

It was no secret that San Francisco and Jennings never could see eye to eye on a long-term deal. And as a result, as Lynch mentioned, Jennings admirably played the 2025 NFL season on a one-year deal with built-in incentives.

Evans, a six-time Pro Bowl selection and Super Bowl champion, simply met the 49ers where they were — plus, he was very interested in joining the organization anyway.

Lynch and San Francisco are excited for what Evans brings to the table. But the franchise still has tons of respect for Jennings, believing he’ll end up where he should.

“Jauan’s one of my favorite players and one of Kyle [Shanahan’s] favorite players,” Lynch said. “He’ll find a good home. And I think Jauan will go play great football for someone. Can’t say enough for what that guy did for … When that guy stepped between the lines, man, he was a presence, and they had to deal with him. 

“And [he] won us a lot of football games. So, I can’t say enough about him.”

Jennings, whom the 49ers selected with the No. 217 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, recorded 2,581 scrimmage yards and 22 touchdowns with San Francisco.

So while signing Evans was exciting for the franchise, moving on from Jennings was — and still is — no easy feat for Lynch and the 49ers.

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