Jauan Jennings

49ers’ George Kittle To Miss Multiple Weeks

September 8th, 2025 at 6:01pm CST by Ben Levine

While the 49ers escaped Week 1 with a victory, it wasn’t all positive news for the organization. George Kittle exited yesterday’s win in the first half after suffering a hamstring injury, and it sounds like the veteran tight end will miss a handful of games. While speaking with reporters today, coach Kyle Shanahan said Kittle will miss some time as he recovers from the injury (per ESPN’s Nick Wagoner).

While Shanahan indicated that his star TE will miss multiple weeks, he wouldn’t commit to Kittle landing on injured reserve (via Cam Inman of Bay Area News Group). Ian Rapoport of NFL Network has a more definitive timeline for the Pro Bowler, as a source indicated that Kittle would miss between three and five weeks. That timeline would make the player a prime candidate for IR.

While injuries were a theme early in Kittle’s career, the tight end has remained relatively healthy recently. Since being limited to eight games in 2020, the veteran has missed eight total contests over the past four years. He’s also continued to produce as he passed his age-30 season; after finishing the 2023 campaign with 1,022 yards, Kittle compiled 1,106 yards during the 2024 season. He seemed to pick up where he left off to start 2025, as he found the end zone to cap off San Francisco’s first offensive possession.

With Kittle out of the lineup, the 49ers will turn to Jake Tonges and Luke Farrell. Tonges made the most noise yesterday, hauling in three receptions, including the eventual game-winning touchdown.

The injuries don’t stop there. Shanahan revealed that quarterback Brock Purdy is dealing with both a shoulder and toe injury, with the coach stating “we’ll see” when asked about the player’s status for Week 2 (per Wagoner). Shanahan said the toe issue is more serious than the shoulder issue, and the team will use the upcoming week to evaluate the quarterback’s progress. If Purdy isn’t able to go against the Saints, Mac Jones would draw the start.

Finally, receiver Jauan Jennings was sidelined yesterday thanks to a shoulder injury. Shanahan told reporters that the team is still awaiting imaging on the wideout, although initial tests indicated that the player should be okay (per Wagoner). With Brandon Aiyuk out to start the season and Deebo Samuel no longer on the squad, the 49ers were going to be especially reliant on Jennings to begin the 2025 season. The 28-year-old hauled in a pair of catches for 16 yards before exiting yesterday’s game.

John Lynch: 49ers Still Interested In Long-Term Jauan Jennings Agreement

September 4th, 2025 at 3:26pm CST by Adam La Rose

Jauan Jennings‘ short-term future received clarity yesterday. The extension-seeking wideout worked out a compromise with the 49ers by agreeing to incentives covering the 2025 season.

Beyond the coming year, however, it remains to be seen if Jennings will be in the fold for San Francisco. As a pending free agent, the possibility of a departure on the open market looms. It will likely take until next spring to learn Jennings’ fate, but general manager John Lynch made it clear in the wake of the restructure that a long-term commitment is still a team goal.

“We’re going to continue to try to work on a long-term deal, but right now we’ve got something, a solution, that works for everybody for the short term, and that’s a good thing for the Niners,” Lynch said during a Thursday appearance on KNBR (via David Bonilla of 49ers WebZone).

Considering the 49ers’ stance on in-season negotiating, the door is open to a Jennings agreement covering 2026 and beyond coming to fruition. Attention is currently focused on the start of the campaign, of course, and the former seventh-rounder will aim to maximize his incentives regardless of where his future lies. At a minimum, it is well known the 49ers will not look into trading Jennings.

“Some teams do have the policy, once you hit the season, they put all contracts away. That’s not something we’ve done,” Lynch added. We are going to kind of focus on going and beating Seattle right now, but we’ll continue to try to work towards that. We’ve said it many times, we love J.J., we love his presence on this team, and we want to keep him around here for a while.”

Brandon Aiyuk is attached to a $30MM-per-year deal thanks to last year’s extension. Deebo Samuel is no longer in the fold, though, and much of the rest of San Francisco’s receivers are either on rookie contracts (Ricky Pearsall, Jacob Cowing, Jordan Watkins) or short-term veteran accords (like Demarcus Robinson or recent acquisitions Skyy Moore and Marquez Valdes-Scantling). Funds could therefore exist for a Jennings raise on a new, multi-year 49ers pact depending on how negotiations progress.

Jennings, 28, comfortably set a new career high across the boards in terms of production last season, taking on a much larger workload while other wideouts missed time. Another notable role should be in store for 2025; it will be interesting to see a second straight strong season takes place, and if so whether or not a new 49ers commitment will accompany it.

49ers, WR Jauan Jennings Agree To Reworked Deal

September 3rd, 2025 at 9:26pm CST by Ben Levine

While Jauan Jennings recently returned to practice without a new deal, it sounds like the 49ers have found a solution for his discontent over his contract. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the two sides have agreed to a deal that will add $3MM in playing-time incentives to the player’s contract.

Attached to a two-year, $11.89MM contract that expires at season’s end, Jennings was set to earn $7.5MM in 2025. Thanks to today’s move, Jennings can now earn up to $10.5MM.

A report from July indicated that Jennings was seeking either an extension or a trade, although neither option ended up coming to fruition. The 49ers made it clear all along that they intended to keep Jennings for at least the 2025 season, and per Schefter, the organization offered a multi-year contract extension to the receiver. Instead, Jennings decided to bet on himself and accept the incentive-driven one-year raise.

A former seventh-round pick, Jennings had a breakout season in San Francisco in 2024. As the 49ers navigated a number of injuries on offense, Jennings stepped forward and hauled in 77 catches for 975 yards and six touchdowns. The 28-year-old has also earned a reputation as one of the league’s best blocking WRs; Pro Football Focus ranked him first in run blocking and 13th in pass blocking last season.

With Deebo Samuel no longer in San Francisco and Brandon Aiyuk still recovering from a torn ACL and MCL, the 49ers will be especially reliant on Jennings in 2025. While Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle will still command plenty of Brock Purdy‘s targets, the rest of the team’s receiver depth consists of former first-round pick Ricky Pearsall, recent veteran addition Marquez Valdes-Scantling, rookie Jordan Watkins, and former Chiefs draft pick Skyy Moore.

If Jennings is able to maintain his play from last season, he could be setting himself up for a lucrative contract as a 2026 free agent. The rest of the current positional free agent class includes the likes of Mike Evans, George Pickens, and Jakobi Meyers.

49ers’ Jauan Jennings Returns To Practice; No Agreement On Contract

September 1st, 2025 at 4:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

A year after signing a modest extension as a restricted free agent, Jauan Jennings nearly reached 1,000 yards. He then saw Deebo Samuel traded and Brandon Aiyuk land on the reserve/PUP list. A push for better contract terms has commenced, but Jennings remains tied to the deal he signed last year.

Attached to a two-year, $11.89MM contract that expires at season’s end, Jennings will be expected to start for the 49ers this year. Understandably, the sixth-year veteran has tried to procure a better deal as another season with a starter’s workload is on tap. While the 49ers do not intend to resolve this matter with a trade, it does not sound like negotiations are dead in the water.

But the team must now begin preparations for Week 1. Decimated at receiver thanks to the injuries to Aiyuk and Jacob Cowing accompanying the Demarcus Robinson suspension, the 49ers have made a few moves — in adding Skyy Moore, Russell Gage and Marquez Valdes-Scantling — while their Kendrick Bourne workout commenced today. Jennings also returned to practice, per The Athletic’s Matt Barrows.

Jennings, 28, had been out for more than a month with a calf injury. That malady surfaced shortly after his contract push became known. Players have used injuries as de facto hold-in measures during a CBA that makes holdouts difficult to wage. Kyle Shanahan, however, said Jennings had not formally requested a trade and ultimately expected him to play in Week 1. It seems that is on track to happen, as the 49ers will have Jennings teaming with 2024 first-round pick Ricky Pearsall as their top wide receivers against the Seahawks.

Even if Jennings returns for Week 1, his contract situation will be one to monitor. The 49ers may be leery about a second notable WR deal after ending the monthslong Aiyuk saga with a $30MM-per-year deal. Jennings is not a candidate to land a contract on that level, but the 49ers also paid Brock Purdy this offseason and handed out third contracts to George Kittle and Fred Warner. San Francisco’s budget may not include a significant Jennings raise, which would make this a pivotal year for the former seventh-round pick.

With Pearsall and ex-Arizona State teammate Aiyuk in place as the 49ers’ long-term weapons alongside Kittle, Jennings — absent an extension — will be a player to monitor ahead of the 2026 free agency period. With 2026 set to be Jennings’ age-29 season, he may have one real chance to cash in. And even that might bring an age-driven discount. For now, Jennings will be a crucial part the 49ers’ offense — particularly while Aiyuk is sidelined due to a longer ACL recovery timetable.

John Lynch: 49ers Not Trading WR Jauan Jennings

August 27th, 2025 at 4:58pm CST by Adam La Rose

Last month, it was reported Jauan Jennings would seek a trade in the event he did not receive an extension. No new contract is forthcoming, and a swap sending him out of San Francisco is not on tap either.

When speaking to the media on Wednesday, general manager John Lynch confirmed Jennings did submit a trade request earlier this offseason. He made it clear, however, that no consideration has been given to dealing away the 28-year-old wideout. According to Lynch, both sides have moved on by this point.

“He’s been putting in work to the side,” Lynch said (via Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News) when referring to Jennings’ calf injury. “Both can be true: he wants a new contract and he has a hurt calf. Everyone assumes one or the other. Both can be true.”

Earlier this week, head coach Kyle Shanahan indicated he expects Jennings to be healed in time for Week 1. That would certainly be a welcomed development given the team’s plethora of injuries at the WR spot. Jacob Cowing was moved to injured reserve today, ensuring he will join Brandon Aiyuk and Demarcus Robinson on the sidelines through September. Having Jennings in place would be key for the team’s passing game, especially with the former seventh-rounder coming off by far his best season to date.

Jennings posted 975 yards and six touchdowns in 2024 and used that as a way of trying to leverage a new pact. The 49ers certainly have a long history of working out lucrative (and often protracted) extensions with high-profile players under Lynch, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Owed $4MM in 2025, Jennings will not be among them, however.

The Tennessee product is a pending free agent, so his market value will be dictated by the extent to which he can duplicate last year’s success. Especially before Aiyuk is back in the fold, a key role should await Jennings in the passing game. A strong showing would help his ability to land a raise next spring, but no new San Francisco pact (or change of scenery) will be in place before then.

49ers HC Kyle Shanahan Expects WR Jauan Jennings To Play In Week 1

August 24th, 2025 at 9:00am CST by Rory Parks

49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings has been sidelined for weeks due to a lingering calf problem. However, head coach Kyle Shanahan expects Jennings to be ready for Week 1.

“I expect him to be back, he should be back from it,” Shanahan told reporters, including Matt Barrows of The Athletic, on Saturday. “But you never know with a calf.”

Jennings, 28, is entering a platform campaign, the result of the two-year deal player and team worked out last spring in lieu of an RFA tender. San Francisco’s negotiations with fellow WR Brandon Aiyuk dominated the club’s storylines last year, but Aiyuk suffered a torn ACL and MCL in Week 7, thus opening the door for Jennings to earn more targets.

The Tennessee product took advantage of his opportunity, setting career-highs across the board with 77 catches for 975 yards and six scores. That showing, along with Aiyuk’s injury – which will keep him sidelined until at least Week 6 of the 2025 season – and the offseason trade of Deebo Samuel had Jennings angling for a raise.

Last month, it was reported that Jennings wanted a contract extension or, failing that, to be traded to a different team. Shanahan later said Jennings had not formally requested a trade, and the wideout did participate in practice at the beginning of training camp before the calf injury arose.

There has been speculation that Jennings’ absence is driven at least in part by his contract situation and not entirely by his health. In the wake of his recent trade for Skyy Moore, GM John Lynch was asked whether the move was designed to send a message to Jennings.

“No message,” Lynch predictably replied (via Tristi Rodriguez of NBC Sports Bay Area). “We like the player, Skyy. We love Jauan. We’re getting close to the season. Players got to practice, but if they’re not healthy enough to do it, they can’t. So that’s kind of where we’re at with Jauan right now.”

Although the Jennings contract/injury matter remains murky, Shanahan was at least able to put a positive spin on it by saying he expects Jennings to be available for Week 1. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for 2024 fourth-rounder Jacob Cowing.

Shanahan announced Cowing has reinjured the hamstring injury that kept him out of the bulk of training camp, and that he “pulled it fully” (via ESPN’s Nick Wagoner). Cowing will miss at least six weeks as a result. Fourth-round rookie Jordan Watkins may not be available for Week 1 due to a high ankle sprain, and it sounds as if Shanahan expects Demarcus Robinson’s three-game DUI suspension to be upheld on appeal, so the Ricky Pearsall-fronted WR corps could sorely use Jennings’ presence.

On the defensive side of the ball, Shanahan announced rookie corner Jakob Robinson sustained a broken forearm near the end of Saturday’s preseason finale (via Wagoner). That is an especially tough development for Robinson, a rookie UDFA who appeared to have a real chance to make the 53-man roster.

John Lynch: No Return Timetable For 49ers WRs Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings

August 7th, 2025 at 4:05pm CST by Adam La Rose

The receiver position remains uncertain in the case of the 49ers with Week 1 drawing closer. Both Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings are sidelined through injury, and in each case there is no firm timeline for a return.

Aiyuk continues to rehab the ACL and MCL tears which ended his 2024 campaign. Throughout the offseason, a main question for San Francisco has been his ability to return to full health in time for the start of the season. Aiyuk has been ahead of schedule, but as of last month a stint on the active/PUP list seemed likely in his case. Such a scenario would ensure at least a four-game absence to begin the campaign.

During a Thursday appearance on KNBR radio, 49ers general manager John Lynch said (via Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News) he doubts Aiyuk will be able to play in the team’s regular season opener. He confirmed there is still no timetable in place, though, meaning it remains to be seen is an PUP stint will be deemed necessary. Aiyuk has four years remaining on the $30MM-per-year extension he signed last offseason.

Meanwhile, the 49ers continue to wait for Jennings’ return to action. A calf injury has him sidelined against the backdrop of a request for an upgraded contract. Jennings has not officially asked to be traded, per head coach Kyle Shanahan, but a report from last month stated he will seek a change of scenery in the absence of a raise being worked out through an extension. With nothing imminent on that front, Jennings continues to recover.

“Jauan’s working with our health and performance staff, trying to get back out on the field,” Lynch said of the 28-year-old (via David Bonilla of 49ers WebZone). “Jauan got his calf in the offseason, strained it, and calves can kind of linger, unfortunately. And came out, practiced some, and wasn’t feeling great, and so we’ve kind of put him off to the side… Don’t have any timetable, but we’ll see.”

Jennings enjoyed a career year in 2024 as the 49ers dealt with injuries elsewhere on the receiver depth chart. The decision to trade away Deebo Samuel helped set Jennings up for another season in a large offensive role. One year remains on the former seventh-rounder’s contract and he is owed $4MM for 2025. A strong season would help Jennings’ market for next spring, provided no extension is worked out before that point.

2024 first-rounder Ricky Pearsall is in line to serve as a key figure in San Francisco’s passing attack provided he can remain healthy this season. The team also has veteran Demarcus Robinson and recent signing Robbie Chosen in the mix. Aiyuk and Jennings will each be important elements in the 49ers’ efforts to rebound from last year’s performance, but it is still unclear when either of them will be healthy.

Kyle Shanahan: Jauan Jennings Hasn’t Formally Requested Trade

July 22nd, 2025 at 7:44pm CST by Ben Levine

A report last week indicated that 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings either wanted a new contract or a trade. The veteran is still expected to report to training camp tomorrow, and 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed that his wideout hasn’t formally requested out of San Francisco (per ESPN’s Nick Wagoner).

Jennings signed a two-year deal last spring that replaced his second-round RFA tender. He proceeded to have a career season as the 49ers navigated a number of injuries. Jennings finished the 2024 campaign with 77 catches for 975 yards and six touchdowns. Set to earn $3.28MM in salary guarantees in 2025 (plus an option bonus of $1.12MM on September 1), the impending free agent is now seeking some long-term security.

With Deebo Samuel no longer on the team and Brandon Aiyuk recovering from a torn ACL, the 49ers are set to be even more dependent on Jennings in 2025. The 49ers front office has dealt with plenty of contract drama at the position in recent years, but Jennings’ lack of track record makes this situation a bit more unique. It remains to be seen if Jennings will carry through with his trade-request threat, and for the time being, it appears both sides will proceed as planned.

If Jennings does suddenly pivot to a holdout or trade request, the 49ers will have to dig even deeper into their depth chart. 2024 first-round pick Ricky Pearsall would likely lead the group, although he’s currently nursing a hamstring issue that landed him on PUP. The team brought in some reinforcement at the position this offseason, signing veterans Demarcus Robinson and Isaiah Hodgins while drafting Jordan Watkins (fourth round) and Junior Bergen (seventh round). The team is also rostering 2024 fourth-round pick Jacob Cowing.

The 49ers could also count on an eventual return for Aiyuk, although it sounds like the star receiver’s comeback is still a ways off. GM John Lynch told reporters today that Aiyuk is still “not anywhere close to having a concrete timeline” (per ESPN’s Adam Schefter). Aiyuk suffered his knee injury in late-October, and it seems like he’s destined to miss at least the first four games of the upcoming campaign.

49ers WR Jauan Jennings Seeking Extension Or Trade

July 14th, 2025 at 10:10pm CST by Adam La Rose

10:10pm: Despite his desire for a new contract, Jennings is expected to report for training camp on July 22, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. While he may seek a trade if the 49ers refuse to meet his contract demands, he still plans to show up next week to avoid a mandatory fine of $50K per day.

8:53am: Jauan Jennings has developed into a key figure in the 49ers’ passing attack during his tenure with the team. The veteran wideout is dissatisfied with his current arrangement in San Francisco, however.

Jennings is seeking either a 49ers extension or a trade to a new team, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. Team and player worked out a two-year deal last spring which took the place of his second-round RFA tender. As a result, Jennings is currently a pending 2026 free agent.

The 28-year-old is scheduled to collect $3.28MM in salary guarantees in 2025 as things stand. Jennings is also on track to receive an option bonus of $1.12MM on September 1. A resolution to this situation will presumably take place prior to that date.

Selected in the seventh round of the 2020 draft, Jennings did not see any playing time as a rookie. Over the following three years, he operated as a complementary option in the passing game behind Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel on the depth chart. In the wake of signing his pact last offseason, Jennings took on an increased role. Aiyuk’s ACL tear opened the door to more targets for the Tennessee product, and he posted career highs across the board (77 catches, 975 yards, six touchdowns).

Samuel has since been traded, and Aiyuk is on course to miss at least some time to begin the 2025 campaign. Jennings is thus in position to once again serve as a central figure on offense, and his success in that capacity last year is driving efforts to land another new pact (and an accompanying raise, no doubt). Schefter adds Jennings plans to request a trade if no extension is worked out ahead of next week’s training camp.

That leaves a small window of opportunity for both parties to come to an agreement, although Schefter notes progress has been limited so far with respect to contract talks. Jennings is not expected to engage in a training camp holdout in any case, as remaining absent from the team would lead to mandatory fines. It would come as no surprise if Jennings opted for a hold-in and thus avoided participation in any on-field work, though.

The 49ers are certainly no stranger to contract drama, especially at the receiver spot. Samuel previously requested a trade before ultimately working out an extension. Aiyuk was the subject of a long-running saga last summer as he agreed to the terms of a Steelers contract but wound up remaining in San Francisco on a big-ticket deal. Jennings does not have the profile of those two based on his statistics to date, but he too is angling for a new commitment or a fresh start if one does not materialize.

Contract Details: Jennings, Slayton, Maye

June 1st, 2024 at 2:06pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are some details on recently agreed upon deals from around the league:

Jauan Jennings, WR (49ers): Two years, $15.39MM. We noted a couple of details in our original report of Jennings’ one-year bump, but thanks to OvertheCap.com, we now have a few more details. First, we see that San Francisco is taking advantage of the recent void year trend that continues to grow in popularity. Jennings’ deal contains four void years at the conclusion of his contract, spreading $14.15MM of his cap hit from 2026 to 2029. Because of this, his cap hits for the next two years will be $2.77MM and $4.26MM, respectively, but if he doesn’t sign a new deal by 2026, he will hold an $8.3MM cap hit despite not being on the roster that year. We originally noted the reported guarantees as $10.54MM, but we now know that he is guaranteed $8.44MM at signing consisting of his $6.21MM signing bonus and both years’ base salaries (worth $1.06MM in 2024 and $1.17MM in 2025).
Darius Slayton, WR (Giants): Two years, $12MM. We recently saw the Giants add some incentives to a restructured deal for their leading receiver of the past few years. Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 reports that, as a result of the new deal, New York will see Slayton’s cap hit drop from $8.15MM to $7.75MM. His base salary in 2024 also sees a reduction from $2.7MM to $2.5MM. He should receive a $2.4MM roster bonus, a $350K workout bonus, and could earn up to $750K for the year in per game active roster bonuses.
Drake Maye, QB (Patriots): Four years, $36.64MM. Most rookies don’t get much say in how their first NFL contracts look. Overall contract value for first-year players is determined by their draft slot. One point of negotiation, per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, appears to be the time it takes for a rookie to receive guaranteed money like signing bonuses. On this note, New England’s new passer will receive all $23.47MM of his signing bonus within 14 days of signing the deal, a huge, timely payout for the North Carolina-product.

Load More Posts