The San Francisco 49ers are embroiled in an ongoing drama with Brandon Aiyuk. It seems like the two sides are headed towards a split, which could lead to a reunion with Jauan Jennings that would have seemed very unlikely just a few weeks ago.
After the bombshell report in The Athletic about the Niners' situation with Aiyuk, and the fact they voided his guaranteed money for the 2026 season, it is tough to see a world in which Aiyuk comes back next season.
Crazier things have happened, though. It seemed like there was no way quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo would return to San Francisco, but the Niners ended up bringing him back to be Trey Lance's backup prior to the 2022 season, which was a wild turn of events.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan seems to be hoping that a reconciliation is in the cards, but it just doesn't seem likely at this point, given how fractured the relationship seems to be between Aiyuk and the 49ers, which has probably left both sides wishing some sort of trade had occurred ahead of the 2024 season.
If a split does occur, then perhaps the Niners will be in a position to bring back Jennings after that relationship seemed to be fractured as well.
49ers may want to retain Jauan Jennings in 2026 after all
Ahead of this season, Jennings demanded a trade as he sought a new contract following the career year he had in 2024. He was clearly following the same playbook of Aiyuk and now-Washington Commanders receiver Deebo Samuel, who both requested trades and made a big show of contract negotiations.
Both Samuel and Aiyuk were rewarded for their antics as they both got lucrative deals from the Niners, but San Francisco was determined to not make the same mistake with Jennings as it ultimately settled on adding contract incentives rather than signing him to a lucrative extension.
Jennings has battled through injuries this season and had a public spat with Shanahan on the sideline, but the pass catchers seemed to come on as of late, as he has gotten healthier and Brock Purdy has returned at quarterback to reprise the chemistry the two have had in the past.
Now, if Aiyuk's contract for next season is off the books, maybe the 49ers would be more willing to keep Jennings around.
It remains to be seen what Jennings will ask for, but if the Niners could get him on a two- or three-year deal at something like $10 million to $15 million per year, that would probably not be a bad contract.
He may demand a lot more than that, in which case the 49ers may say to heck with it, we do not negotiate with wide receivers.
But if he wants to come back and is willing to work with the Niners, then this whole Aiyuk situation could lead to a reunion that seemed highly unlikely.