It's no secret that Jauan Jennings wants to get paid. His well-chronicled contractual stalemate, which included a trade request this past summer, was all the confirmation San Francisco 49ers fans needed.
Jennings and the Niners eventually worked out a short-term resolution that gave him the chance to earn an additional $3 million in incentives this season. However, the veteran wide receiver now headlines the club's list of players set to become unrestricted free agents on March 11. He sounded reflective rather than motivated to be part of the comeback story at San Francisco's locker room cleanout on Jan. 19.
The writing is ostensibly on the wall for Jennings to take his talents elsewhere this offseason, and he even knows it.
Jauan Jennings' time with 49ers will end come free agency
For what it's worth, Jennings isn't the only one who has expressed uncertainty about his future with San Francisco. NBC Sports' Matt Maiocco, perhaps the most plugged-in 49ers insider, doesn't expect the 2020 seventh-round pick to be back next year. Do with that what you will.
Signs point toward the 49ers letting Jennings explore other options. Placing the franchise tag on him is another route they can go, albeit unlikely, giving the two sides more time to work out a long-term deal.
Yet, San Francisco is seemingly comfortable with the rest of the NFL setting his price.
For what it's worth, Spotrac projects Jennings to secure roughly $22.6 million annually in his next deal. The 49ers have the cap space to retain him at that cost, especially after voiding fellow wideout Brandon Aiyuk's guaranteed money for 2026. Perhaps these circumstances shape the Niners' decision-making process, though they have an opportunity to reset the position this offseason.
Finding a long-term complement to first-round selection Ricky Pearsall figures to be a top priority for the Niners. Jennings, who turns age 29 in July, doesn't quite check that box. If San Francisco re-signs any of its grizzled pass-catchers eyeing the open market, bringing back Kendrick Bourne seems like the logical approach.
Bourne is very familiar with head coach Kyle Shanahan's offensive scheme and will come with far fewer strings attached. He's openly expressed his desire to return to San Francisco, so a cost-friendly pact makes sense rather than giving Jennings a big payday.
Across 15 games in 2025, Jennings caught 55 of his 90 targets for 643 yards and a career-high nine touchdowns. He dealt with ankle, rib and shoulder injuries early in the campaign, which ostensibly hindered him.
Nevertheless, we saw him improve as the 49ers got deeper in their schedule, which rival front offices will certainly take note of.