The San Francisco 49ers desperately need wide receiver Jauan Jennings right now.
And he might need them to pony up cash via a would-be contract extension right now, too.
There's an impasse here, one that led to the recent demand for an extension or a trade, should no extension be reached. Coming off a career-best 975-yard campaign in which he was the de facto No. 1 wide receiver on the Niners' roster, Jennings' stock value has never been higher. He knows this, which is ideal timing heading into a contract year.
Plus, San Francisco's own wide receiver room has plenty of question marks, particularly with Brandon Aiyuk still rehabbing from a torn ACL and MCL suffered last season, while second-year pro Ricky Pearsall kicks off training camp on the physically unable-to-perform (PUP) list. Tack on veteran wideout Demarcus Robinson's possible suspension for a DUI last year, and the remaining options are largely unproven and unknown.
Related story: Jauan Jennings' contract stance is too big for 49ers to ignore
So, it'd make sense if Jennings still sees himself as the 49ers' top option at wide receiver heading into 2025. When factoring in the Niners' situation with their other receivers, it's hard to argue.
At the same time, though, San Francisco is banking upon both Aiyuk and Pearsall returning eventually and taking over the mantle as its top two options, thereby reverting Jennings back to a third-down specialist and perimeter blocker.
Simply put, the 49ers don't see Jennings as a long-term WR1, and he probably knows this, too.
Since his stock value is at its highest but likely reverts back lower, at least upon both Aiyuk and Pearsall returning, Jennings is demanding his extension or trade now because he's aware that his would-be free-agent value in a year's time might not come close to what it is at the moment.
While that paints a picture that suggests the Niners would be wise to wait this one out, they are also aware they have few options but to acknowledge his demands and try meeting them, given the state of their wide receiver room, currently.
Unless they want a disgruntled receiver on their roster to kick off camp, which isn't ideal.