When it comes to impending free agents for the San Francisco 49ers this offseason, none are bigger than wide receiver Jauan Jennings, who will hit unrestricted free agency after six years with the team.
Jennings, who signed a two-year, $11.9 million deal worth up to $15.4 million in 2024, caught 55 passes for 643 yards and nine touchdowns in 2025, while playing in 15 games. Last year, he had a stellar 77 catches for 975 yards and six touchdowns, breaking out into a lead role as San Francisco’s top wideouts got injured.
The 49ers had paid Jennings his extension before either of those seasons. Through his first three years in the NFL combined, the wideout had caught 78 passes for 963 yards and seven touchdowns. So he was definitely a bargain the past two seasons when factoring in his heavier production.
That’s not even counting Jennings’s elite run-blocking and physicality, which has been a culture-setter for the 49ers and Kyle Shanahan. That’s been an invaluable part of the last few seasons, so it leads to the question: should San Francisco try to re-sign Jennings?
When it comes to free agency, it’s always tough to gauge the market, especially at wide receiver, because every team needs more talent at the position. Jennings will be a top free-agent wide receiver this year, especially if George Pickens gets signed by the Dallas Cowboys before free agency starts.
Apart from Pickens, the other free agent wide receivers include Alec Pierce, Mike Evans, Rashid Shaheed, Romeo Doubs, Deebo Samuel, Wandale Robinson, and others. Jennings might be a top-three option in that group next to Pierce when considering age, production, and fit. So it’s not out of the picture that he gets over $20 million a year, potentially even from the Tennessee Titans, who just signed Robert Saleh as their head coach and have over $100 million in cap space for 2026.
The 49ers don’t have many free agents they need to re-sign. Special teams rule the table, as Eddy Piñeiro, Jon Weeks, and Thomas Morstead all seem like players the team will look to retain before free agency starts. Other potential candidates include restricted free agent Jake Tonges, kick returner Skyy Moore, and special teamer Luke Gifford. But none of those options will be very expensive, like Jennings could.
Of course, San Francisco could let Jennings walk and pick up a compensatory pick (assuming they don’t spend as highly on a free agent). Wide receiver is a position that they need to upgrade at, so drafting one should be a priority, and the 49ers could prioritize more speed (perhaps by signing Alec Pierce or Rashid Shaheed).
At the moment, it doesn’t seem logical to splurge over $20 million annually to retain Jennings. Perhaps if the market doesn’t look as appealing after he enters free agency, a reunion at a lower price could make sure. But it’s expected he has a wide range of suitors, given the number of teams that need a veteran wide receiver and the lack of top options available on the market.
