The idea of Jauan Jennings heading back to San Francisco is easy to connect on paper. The 49ers have a need at receiver, Jennings knows Kyle Shanahan’s system, and he already has chemistry with Brock Purdy. But one local insider isn’t buying the clean fit.
NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco pushed back on the notion that Minnesota would be eager to do the 49ers any favors before the trade deadline, especially with both teams sitting undefeated entering Week 7.
“Why would Minnesota throw them a lifeline when they've already paid Jauan Jennings, you know, probably three-quarters of his scheduled salary?”
That skepticism comes after NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport floated the possibility that Jennings’ name could pick up steam as the deadline nears, with San Francisco dealing with another injury hit.
The 49ers’ receiver room has taken a punch with Deebo Samuel sidelined by a hamstring injury expected to keep him out for a couple of weeks. Mike Evans is also out for at least one week because of an Achilles injury, leaving Christian Kirk, who is coming off injured reserve, veteran Brandin Cooks, and the young duo of Jacob Cowing and Jordan Watkins.
Jennings spent his first five NFL seasons with San Francisco after the 49ers picked him in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL draft. He grew into a dependable piece of Shanahan’s offense and put together a strong 2024 season with 77 catches, 975 yards and six touchdowns.
His path changed this offseason, though, when a contract dispute helped push him out of San Francisco and toward Minnesota on a one-year deal.
The move has been quiet so far. In four games with the Vikings, Jennings has only two catches for nine yards on five targets.
That modest start does not erase why a reunion would at least make sense for the 49ers. Still, as Maiocco noted, Minnesota may have no interest in helping San Francisco fill a hole with a player it already has under contract.
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