The San Francisco 49ers are in the thick of a playoff push, but behind the scenes, some interesting roster questions are starting to bubble up-particularly around wide receiver Jauan Jennings. With the team staring down a complicated cap situation heading into the 2026 offseason, Jennings' future in the Bay Area is anything but guaranteed. And now, there’s chatter that a potential trade involving Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts could be on the table.
Let’s unpack this.
Jennings is in his sixth season with the Niners, and while he’s never been the flashiest name on the roster, he’s carved out a niche as a reliable, physical target who thrives in tough spots. He’s stepped up when injuries have hit the receiving corps, offering quarterback Brock Purdy a dependable option over the middle and in red-zone situations. That kind of consistency doesn’t go unnoticed in Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
But here’s the rub: the 49ers are projected to have about $50 million in cap space heading into 2026. That might sound like a decent cushion, but when you factor in the number of key contracts that need attention-Brandon Aiyuk, Jennings himself, and potentially Kendrick Bourne-it becomes clear that some tough decisions are on the horizon. And if Jennings isn’t in their long-term plans, San Francisco could look to flip him for help at another position.
That’s where Kyle Pitts enters the conversation.
There’s been speculation that Pitts could be a fit in Shanahan’s system, particularly in a “big slot” role that could mirror what Jordan Reed did during his brief stint with the Niners. Pitts has the size, athleticism, and versatility to create mismatches across the field, and while his production in Atlanta hasn’t quite matched the hype that followed him out of college, a change of scenery-and a creative play-caller like Shanahan-could unlock a different version of him.
From a roster-building standpoint, it makes sense. If the Niners move on from Jennings, the wide receiver depth chart starts to look a little thin.
Ricky Pearsall, Demarcus Robinson, Jordan Watkins, and Jacob Cowing would be the top returning options, but that group comes with question marks. Injuries have been an issue for several of them, and Robinson has just 13 catches in 10 games this year.
That’s not exactly a group you want to lean on if you're trying to stay in Super Bowl contention.
Jennings, for his part, has done everything you’d want from a complementary receiver this season. Despite missing two games, he’s posted 41 catches for 458 yards and five touchdowns in 11 appearances.
Those aren’t WR1 numbers, but they speak to his role as a clutch performer who knows where to be and when to be there. He’s the kind of player who moves the chains and makes the gritty plays that don’t always show up in the highlight reel but matter when the game’s on the line.
Right now, the 49ers sit at 9-4, holding third place in the NFC West. They’ve got some ground to make up on the Seahawks and Rams, but they’re comfortably ahead of the Cardinals.
In the broader NFC playoff picture, they’re in seventh place-above the Lions and Cowboys, but looking up at the Packers and Seahawks. With the postseason in sight, every game down the stretch matters, and the front office will be watching closely as they weigh who’s part of the future and who might be better used as trade capital.
San Francisco heads into a bye week now, giving them a bit of breathing room before hosting the Tennessee Titans on Dec. 14.
It’s a critical stretch-not just on the field, but in the front office as well. Whether or not Jauan Jennings is part of the long-term equation remains to be seen, but if the 49ers are eyeing a high-upside swing like Kyle Pitts, it could signal that big changes are on the horizon.