Jauan Jennings is arguably the most notable name among the 28 San Francisco 49ers players scheduled to become free agents this offseason. The veteran wide receiver turned in a productive 2025 campaign, finishing with 55 receptions for 643 yards and nine touchdowns. He found the end zone in seven of the team's final nine regular-season games, emerging as a reliable offensive weapon after battling several injuries early on.
NFL analyst Brian Baldinger recently joined Bay Area radio station 95.7 The Game, where he was asked whether Jennings should be considered a priority re-signing for the 49ers. While Baldinger acknowledged Jennings' on-field contributions, he pointed to the change in the 49ers' roster-building strategy after signing quarterback Brock Purdy to a massive contract extension.
"Jauan, all he's done is line up and play and contribute, and he's been a big part of this offense," Baldinger said. "But he's not a number one. You could question if he's a number two. And so, then you go, is he expendable because I can go find a big-bodied receiver? I can find that either in the draft or through free agency, and not have to spend that much money because this is a big business here."
Baldinger adds that the 49ers are already paying several core players significant money, even with Purdy taking up a large chunk of the salary cap. Is it worth it to have Jennings join that group?
"Everybody likes Jauan, and how he contributes," Baldinger added. "But it just becomes a question of finance, at this point, knowing that, because once you've paid Brock, other guys are going to have to go. Aaron Banks had to go. Other guys are going to have to go once you start paying the quarterback the way they paid him."