The San Francisco 49ers made a major splash in free agency, signing Mike Evans to a multi-year contract to bring the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers superstar out West.
His addition cemented the fact that Jauan Jennings, the 49ers' top free agent this offseason, is not coming back to the team in 2026. But, despite multiple runs on top free agents already, Jennings is still a free agent. Why?
ESPN's Bill Barnwell revealed that there are two main reasons why Jennings, a top free agent at a premium position like WR, is still a free agent. Those two reasons? "Age and market," writes Barnwell.
Jauan Jennings is an FA due to age and WR market
Jennings is one of the top free-agent wide receivers this offseason, but he's gone unsigned so far. Evans, Alec Pierce, and Rashid Shaheed have all signed. But, for good reason.
The former 49ers wide receiver is turning 29 years old on July 10th, meaning his new team will be getting Jennings for his age 29 and beyond.
He began his NFL career at 23 years old, and didn't break out until the 2024 season, when he had 975 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 77 receptions.
Signing someone like Jennings, who's a bit older, comes with some risk. If he were two years younger, there might be a much stronger market for him as a team could envision more years with Jennings on the roster at peak ability.
But it's not just the fact that he's going to be a bit older when he signs a deal with a team in free agency. It also has to do with the other veteran receivers still on the market.
More: 49ers to sign Mike Evans away from Buccaneers after 12 years
Stefon Diggs, Deebo Samuel, Christian Kirk, Keenan Allen, and even Brandon Aiyuk and Calvin Ridley could be available as veteran WR options this offseason.
While Jennings might be a solid receiver, coming off a great nine-touchdown season with 643 yards on 55 receptions, his free agent status, thanks to his age and the abundant veteran WR market, doesn't bode well for Jennings to sign soon.
There are still plenty of options in the veteran WR market available, and Jennings hasn't done enough in his career to elevate above the rest of the field this offseason.
Jennings is still a free agent, and it has a lot to do with him turning 29 years old this offseason and the abundance of veteran WR options on the market. This might be a long offseason for Jennings.
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