ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that multiple teams have reached out about Jauan Jennings’s availability, and the 49ers have given them all the same answer.
It’s not often that a former seventh-round wide receiver finds himself in the news cycle multiple times a week, but that’s been the case for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings.
Earlier this week, a report surfaced saying that Jennings wanted a contract extension, and if he didn’t receive that, he wanted a trade. It’s difficult to tell how much leverage Jennings has.
My initial thought was that if Jennings were to play this season out, he could easily double his salary this season. The timing of Jennings’ request is a bit odd, considering he’ll receive a $5.6 million option bonus before the season starts since it’s the second year of his contract, per Over the Cap. Perhaps Jennings believes he’s worth more than $15 million a season after last year.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the 49ers aren’t interested in moving Jennings. Schefter said that multiple teams have reached out to the 49ers and expressed interest in acquiring Jennings on NFL Live Wednesday, but the Niners rebuffed those calls. Schefter made it sound like the 49ers have no intention of moving the 28-year-old at this point:
“Several teams have already inquired about Jauan Jennings’ availability, but the 49ers said they have no desire in trading the wide receiver.”
Just because the team isn’t willing to budge for now doesn’t mean Jennings is happy. Schefter added that Jennings still plans on officially requesting a trade before training camp opens for the veterans next week if he doesn’t sign an extension before then, noting that there has been little progress in negotiations between the two parties.
It’s easy to understand why Jennings wants to be compensated for his performance last season. It’s easier to see why the Niners would be unwilling to move such a valuable piece of their offense at a position where there’s little experience and the best player is coming off an injury that could sideline him for at least five games.
A Jennings holdout, with Brandon Aiyuk out, and Demarcus Robinson potentially suspended, could mean Brock Purdy’s targets are Ricky Pearsall, Jacob Cowing, and Jordan Watkins for the first week of training camp. Robert Saleh’s defense should dominate those practices if that’s the case.