Could there be another contract extension issue brewing for the 49ers?
With Fred Warner, George Kittle, Trent Williams, and others, it’s natural to overlook certain players on the San Francisco 49ers. In a season full of bad breaks for the 49ers, one player broke out in a big way in 2025. The player known to the 49ers fan base as “Third and Jauan” was already a fan favorite. Jennings put together his finest season as a professional and put himself in a position for a very lucrative payday.
Jonathan Macri of Pro Football Focus agrees after naming Jennings the most underrated player for the 49ers.
Jennings came into the 2024 season facing a crowded depth chart in San Francisco between Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, and even 2024 first-round pick Ricky Pearsall, not to mention the added target competition of George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey.
Despite all odds, Jennings established himself as a top option on offense, ranking in the top 20 in PFF receiving grade (83.7), receptions (77), and yards per route run (2.26) in the regular season among qualifying wide receivers. Thanks to his most recent season, the former seventh-round pick is now in a prime spot to continue his stellar play in 2025.
Known primarily for his clutch catches, relentless run blocking, and tone-setting edge, Jennings set career-highs in yards (975), catches (77), and touchdowns (six) in 2025. The discussion shifts to whether or not the 49ers work out an extension with the former Tennessee wide receiver or allow him to walk.
The 49ers have drafted wide receivers in the past two drafts and paid Brandon Aiyuk, who is recovering from his knee injury. Ricky Pearsall will have a prominent role in the 49ers’ offense in 2025, as will Jennings before Aiyuk’s return to the lineup.
The question becomes: the future could include Jacob Cowing and Jordan Watkins, which might force the 49ers to make a tough decision and let Jennings get his payday somewhere else.
The game of extending Jennings or allowing him to raise his value with another excellent season is the last contract discussion for the 49ers in 2025.