The San Francisco 49ers were hit with an absolute bombshell mere days before their full squad is expected to report for training camp.
Wide receiver Jauan Jennings, who enjoyed a career-best year in 2024 with 975 receiving yards, is reportedly asking for an extension or demanding a trade if he doesn't receive one, which isn't exactly welcomed news this late in the offseason.
While it might have been far more contemptuous, at least fellow receiver Brandon Aiyuk's contractual standoff was made newsworthy long before the Niners' efforts in the NFL Draft a year ago.
Speaking of Aiyuk, he ultimately reported for training camp but staged something of a "hold-in," where he'd physically be present so he'd avoid being fined but wouldn't partake in team drills until receiving his payday.
Perhaps Jennings follows a similar path.
Not long after news broke of Jennings' ultimatum, The Athletic's Matt Barrows reported "Third and Jauan" was expected to be in attendance for the start of San Francisco's training camp, which kicks off in full on Tuesday, July 22:
Jauan Jennings is expected to be on hand when the 49ers' veterans report for training camp next Tuesday. However, as the Brandon Aiyuk saga showed last year, that doesn't necessarily mean the situation will be smooth and tidy.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) July 14, 2025
That's good. No holdout anticipated.
However, this doesn't automatically mean Jennings will be partaking in drills alongside his teammates, echoing a page out of Aiyuk's playbook during last season's camp.
Physically attending camp is obviously a good sign, even if Jennings and the 49ers remain at a standoff. Yet there are also hefty fines associated with players not attending training camp, too, and the receiver certainly seems willing to avoid those.
On top of merely being present but not participating, it's not too far a path from there being a notable distraction at a point where the Niners are doing everything in their power to adequately prepare for the upcoming season.
Lastly, as Aiyuk experienced early in 2024 after finally inking his extension, there's the possibility Jennings' presumed missed on-field time leads to less production on the field when the regular season commences.
So, just because he's expected to be there doesn't mean all is well between the receiver and front office.
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