The 49ers head into training camp facing some uncertainty—and a bit of drama—at the wide receiver position. Jauan Jennings is entering the final year of the two-year contract he signed in 2024 and is reportedly seeking a reworked deal. With Deebo Samuel gone and Brandon Aiyuk still recovering from ACL and MCL injuries, Jennings is expected to take on a more prominent role in 2025—giving him some leverage.
If the two sides can't reach an agreement, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Jennings plans to request a trade.
Jennings reported to camp on Monday, and on Tuesday, head coach Kyle Shanahan addressed the rumors, saying, "He hasn't formally asked for a trade."
Should the situation deteriorate, Austin suggests the 49ers consider trading Jennings to the Raiders in exchange for a 2026 third-round draft pick and wide receiver Tre Tucker. A 2023 third-round selection, Tucker has recorded 66 catches for 870 yards and two touchdowns over his first two NFL seasons.
"Las Vegas is positioned to trade for Jennings thanks to its $48.6 million cap space, which easily absorbs his projected salary and allows room for an extension," Austin wrote. "A package of a third-round pick and a promising but inconsistent receiver like Tre Tucker feels right for Jennings, considering he's coming off a strong campaign but hasn't proven he's a WR1.
"The 49ers would miss Jennings, but their belief in Ricky Pearsall and the offseason addition of Demarcus Robinson could support the case for a deal."
Austin didn't stop there. He also floated a second trade scenario involving a possible reunion with Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne. In this hypothetical deal, the 49ers would send a 2026 sixth-round draft pick to New England in exchange for the veteran wideout.
Bourne began his NFL career with San Francisco in 2017 as an undrafted free agent and spent four seasons in the Bay Area. His best campaign came in 2021 with the Patriots, when he posted 55 receptions for 800 yards and five touchdowns.
Since then, however, Bourne's production has declined—logging 434 receiving yards in 2022, 406 in 2023, and just 305 in 2024, partly due to injuries.
Still, Bourne's familiarity with Shanahan's offense and the increasingly crowded wide receiver room in New England could make him a viable trade target.
"Financially, Bourne is under contract through 2026, but none of his remaining salary is guaranteed," Austin explained. "His 2025 cap hit is around $7.7 million, a manageable figure for a team seeking veteran help.
"Considering his prior production and the 49ers' need for a proven presence behind Jennings (if he stays put) and Pearsall, moving for Bourne during training camp makes sense if Aiyuk is slow to recover."
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