It's going to be a tall task for the San Francisco 49ers to try and re-sign wide receiver Jauan Jennings this offseason even though general manager John Lynch publicly announced the 2020 draftee out of Tennessee would be the No. 1 contract priority.
With quarterback Brock Purdy's cap hit going up substantially in 2026, Lynch and Co. must be fiscally prudent, and Jennings might have already priced himself out of the Niners' comfort range with a solid (but not quite like 2025) effort.
More vitally, though, Jennings will have a pretty long list of suitors who'd appreciate his physicality and go-to abilities in clutch situations.
Including the Los Angeles Chargers, who are in line for some offensive changes under another name familiar to San Francisco, coordinator Mike McDaniel.
49ers could easily lose Jauan Jennings to Mike McDaniel's Chargers
Without question, Bolts head coach Jim Harbaugh would appreciate Jennings' ferocity, physicality and "hit 'em in the mouth" mentality on the field. That was the kind of offense Harbaugh loved to run with his former coordinator, Greg Roman.
McDaniel's approach is likely to be different, sure. It'll be a bit more finesse, perhaps. But even McDaniel can appreciate what Jennings has to offer. After all, Los Angeles' first-year coordinator held the same role back with the 49ers in 2021, the first season in which Jennings saw any regular-season action. And he made the most of it, too, logging five touchdowns on just 24 catches after effectively redshirting his rookie year.
Meanwhile, despite the presence of receivers like Keenan Allen, Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey, the Chargers failed to produce an 800-yard receiver despite having Justin Herbert under center.
Sure, much of that might've been more related to a banged-up and inadequate Bolts offensive line.
Yet Jennings' blocking prowess could aid there, too.
Jennings won't have a shortage of suitors this offseason, and plenty of other teams could easily offer him more money.
As far as familiarity, though, reuniting with McDaniel and fitting a key need down in SoCal might be the play Jennings looks for the most, much to the Niners' chagrin.