The 49ers' wide receiver room has undergone significant offseason turnover with the departures of Jennings, Kendrick Bourne, and Skyy Moore—and eventually, Brandon Aiyuk. However, the team added veterans Mike Evans and Christian Kirk to help bolster the group.
Additionally, the 49ers used their top draft pick to select former Mississippi wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling, who was viewed internally as one of the best blocking receivers in the 2026 NFL Draft.
"I think everyone knows how good of a blocker Jauan was—or is—and how big he's been for us in that way," head coach Kyle Shanahan said after the selection of Stribling. "So, we have a hole without that. So this guy definitely can fill that."
Jennings was selected by the 49ers in the seventh round (No. 217 overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Tennessee. After spending his rookie season on the practice squad, he steadily carved out a significant role over the next four seasons, emerging as a key contributor in San Francisco's offense.
Jennings remained with the 49ers through the 2025 season after agreeing to a contract restructure on September 3, 2025, which added performance-based incentives to the final year of his deal. During the 2025 campaign, he caught 55 passes for 643 yards and a career-high nine touchdowns, averaging 11.7 yards per reception.
In 2024, Jennings finished just 25 yards shy of his first 1,000-yard receiving season. His pursuit of the milestone ended when he was ejected from the season finale against the Arizona Cardinals.
Across five active NFL seasons, Jennings has appeared in 75 games, totaling 210 receptions for 2,581 yards and 22 touchdowns. Had the 49ers won Super Bowl LVIII, Jennings may have earned MVP honors after recording four catches for 42 yards and a receiving touchdown while also throwing a 21-yard touchdown pass.
It's worth noting that the 49ers will not receive a compensatory pick for Jennings next year, as his signing took place after the 2026 NFL Draft.
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