Jauan Jennings is poised to become a restricted free agent, offering the San Francisco 49ers various avenues to retain the talented wide receiver. One such option involves signing Jennings to a long-term contract, a possibility that general manager John Lynch openly acknowledged as a possibility while speaking to reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
If that doesn't happen, the 49ers can tender Jennings, giving the team the right to match any more lucrative offers from other teams. Alternatively, they could attach the tendered offer to a draft pick, a costlier approach when it comes to guaranteed salary, but one that would force interested teams to surrender compensation if the 49ers opt not to match competing offers.
All of those options are broken down here.
"Jauan is really important to what we do," Lynch said via the San Francisco Chronicle. "I think he continues to show that. If the tender is the vehicle to keep him around for another year … I think we're also interested in extending him out. There may be an opportunity to do that. We'll just have to see where that goes and if we can come to an agreement there."
Lynch said the team is trying to keep Jauan Jennings beyond this season, either through an RFA tender or a contract extension.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) February 27, 2024
San Francisco made Jennings a seventh-round selection (No. 217 overall) out of Tennessee in 2020. He registered 19 receptions for 265 yards and a touchdown through 13 game appearances this past season.
Despite modest statistics, one particular figure stands out. Including playoff games, 20 of Jennings' 29 receptions resulted in first downs, underscoring the 26-year-old wideout's reliability during the 2023 campaign.
49ers personnel moves
In the wake of Adam Peters' departure to assume the general manager role for the Washington Commanders, Lynch revealed that Tariq Ahmad and RJ Gillen would jointly hold the title of Director of Player Personnel as part of the 49ers' front office restructuring.
Gillen previously served as Director of Pro Personnel, while Ahmad was Director of College Scouting.