5 players the 49ers would love to extend after Brandon Aiyuk
There are a number of pending free agents the Niners would likely want to extend instead of hitting the open market in 2025.
By Peter Panacy
The 49ers have salary cap issues and also need to extend Brandon Aiyuk. But they'd also like to extend these five players soon, too.
Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is the San Francisco 49ers' No. 1 contract-extension priority this offseason.
No questions there. And there's no shortage of speculation regarding the conclusion of his extension talks either.
The problem, though, is the Niners are projected to be nearly $24 million over the 2025 salary cap, and they also have to offer what'll be a massive extension for quarterback Brock Purdy a year from now, too.
Purdy's extension is a problem for another time, though, but a number of other players could command extension talks from San Francisco this year once Aiyuk's situation is finalized, preferably sooner than later.
In an ideal world, the 49ers would love to extend these five players in addition to Aiyuk.
Note: All salary cap and contractual information, courtesy of Over the Cap.
No. 5: Wide receiver Jauan Jennings
There's an argument it might have been wiser to fully extend No. 3 wide receiver Jauan Jennings instead of placing a second-round restricted free-agent tender on him this offseason.
As such, the third-down weapon and exceptional blocker will be a free agent in 2025 unless the Niners act upon his contract. True, Jennings had a "down year" in 2023 with a career-low 19 receptions and 265 yards. But his tenacity in blocking and prowess as a third-down weapon don't go unnoticed.
Jennings may seek a big contract next offseason, but San Francisco also knows his importance right now, even if the stats don't always show up.
Perhaps it'd be wiser if the 49ers look to make that extension happen before he hits the open market, ensuring his talents don't help some other squad that is enamored with his blocking and receiving prowess.