john spytek
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Las Vegas Raiders GM John Spytek.
The Las Vegas Raiders have already spent most of their salary cap space, so they might be done making big moves. However, the team might feel better about their chances of fielding a winner in 2026.
While the team did sign Jalen Nailor and Dareke Young, they could still use another proven wide receiver. San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings likely thought he was going ot have a bigger market, but he remains a free agent.
A big payday likely isn’t heading his way. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell explained why he hasn’t been signed yet.
“Age and market,” Barnwell wrote when explaining why Jennings is still unsigned. “Jennings is a useful player and thrives on third downs and inside the red zone, where teams really need their wide receivers to make plays. He can win on contested catches and in tight quarters, making him a reliable target for young quarterbacks with a habit of putting the ball (or their receivers) in danger. Jennings is also tough; the 6-foot-3 wideout famously told reporters last year that he was playing through five broken ribs and both low and high ankle sprains.”
Why Raiders Should Sign Jennings
Barnwell also noted that the Raiders should be the team to sign Jennings, and explained why.
“They will be running a Shanahan-inspired offense under new coach Klint Kubiak, and while there’s less money than expected in the coffers after the Maxx Crosby trade was rescinded, Vegas can’t afford to scrimp on help for likely first overall pick Fernando Mendoza,” Barnwell wrote. “The Raiders added receiver Jalen Nailor in free agency and have young wideouts such as Jack Bech, Dont’e Thornton Jr. and Tre Tucker in the mix. But Jennings would step in as a reliable, valuable target for Mendoza in the short term, with the Raiders likely to find their eventual WR1 in the years to come.”
Jennings had 975 receiving yards in 2024 and 643 in 2025. He’s not a huge volume wide receiver, but he’s a dependable target. Plus, he has experience working with Kubiak, so he’d be a logical fit.
Jennings Is Controversial Player Around NFL
The only potential problem with Jennings is that he isn’t well-liked around the NFL. The 49ers don’t seem to have problems with him, but they’re the only team he has ever played for.
Perhaps a reason he isn’t signed is that teams don’t want him in the locker room. Carolina Panthers and former Raiders safety Tre’von Moehrig had an incident where he struck Jennings during the season. Cleveland Browns and former Raiders defensive lineman Shelby Harris unleashed a rant against Jennings later in the season when he played the 49ers.
“He’s a (expletive), and I want that known,” Harris said during the season. “Like I see why he got punched in the nuts, because he said some things that you should not say to another man, ever. But, like, I don’t respect it because you say that, then run behind your O-line. That’s some real soft (expletive), and I want that known. I see exactly why they punched him in the nuts. I’m surprised nobody’s punched him in the jaw yet.”