While at the NFL's annual owner's meeting, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke with the media for the first time since the end of the season. One of the topics he spoke about was wide receiver Jauan Jennings, who had a strong finish to his sophomore year, which included a six-catch, 94-yard, two-touchdown performance in a must-win game against the Los Angeles Rams to clinch a playoff spot.
Jennings, who originally began earning snaps because of his run-blocking prowess, became a more prominent feature in the passing attack over the last five games of the year, catching 16 passes for 212 yards and three touchdowns, which accounted for the majority of his production for the entire season.
While Jennings had some early struggles due to some time on the COVID-19/Reserve list to begin training camp, Shanahan had nothing but praise for his receiver, although he noted that extension talks haven't begun yet between the two parties.
"I don't think we're working on it yet but I'm real happy with Jauan, and I hope that we can keep him here," Shanahan said. "I thought he came on real hard last year, halfway through the season, finished strong. What he did in the playoffs for us. Jauan's got to come in right where he left off, and keep getting better. It took him a little bit, getting into last year, especially starting out with COVID and missing some of training camp. But Jauan's got a skill set that we like. And the way he plays, the style that he plays with, we really like. I'm excited about Jauan."
As for which elements of Jennings's game stood out to Shanahan, the head coach pointed towards his aggressiveness, which was showcased not only in the passing game but through his efforts in the running game as well.
"Just how aggressive he is, that the game's not too big for him, that he wants the ball, he believes he's the best, and he's trying to prove it on every play," said the sixth-year head coach.
Jennings entered the offseason as a restricted free agent and was tendered a one-year, $825,000 deal, although it seems that hashing out a long-term extension is in the best interest of both parties, given the receiver's age and ability.