The San Francisco 49ers didn’t just tweak their wide receiver room this offseason; they flipped the script. The franchise pivoted toward proven production. That shift quietly left one familiar name hanging in limbo.
The silence around Jauan Jennings is getting louder. Once seen as a key cog in Kyle Shanahan’s offense, the 28-year-old remains unsigned deep into free agency. Around the league, insiders are starting to connect the dots.
Chris Simms explains why Jauan Jennings is still unsigned after the 49ers pivot
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk
Oct 20, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) catches a pass between Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie (22) and safety Chamarri Conner (27) in the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
The conversation took a sharper turn when Chris Simms weighed in. Speaking recently, Simms pointed directly at pricing and role perception as the core issues behind Jennings still being available, especially after the San Francisco 49ers pivoted to Mike Evans.
“What is going on with Jauan? What did Jauan Jennings price himself at? The 49ers, I will say it, I know my friend Kyle Shanahan liked Jauan. They thought he was a damn good player, but he’s overpriced himself here and he fit the system in what they did, but they obviously felt they couldn’t get something done with him to where they pivoted to Mike Evans.”
Wow: Chris Simms speaks on why Jauan Jennings is still a free agent.
“What is going on with Jauan? What did Jauan Jennings price himself at? The 49ers, I will say it, I know my friend [Kyle Shanahan] liked Jauan. They thought he was a damn good player, but he’s overpriced… pic.twitter.com/jCTf1ftcuR
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 20, 2026
Jennings being viewed as a WR1 does not align with the team’s financial perspectives on him. The fit in Shanahan’s scheme elevated his value.
Jennings was coming off a strong stretch with San Francisco, including a 975-yard season in 2024. He evolved from a third-down specialist into a reliable chain-mover. Still, league-wide interest has not matched that production. His free agent market has been “perplexingly quiet,” despite expectations of an early deal.
The San Francisco 49ers moved decisively. They signed Mike Evans to a deal that averages roughly $14 million annually, far below the $22.6 million projected market value for Jennings via Spotrac. That contrast is telling. One is a proven WR1 with a Hall of Fame résumé. The other is still viewed as a high-end complementary piece.
Evans did not even chase top dollar. As he told reporters via ESPN, football drove his move to San Francisco. That flexibility gave the 49ers room to upgrade without overcommitting.
For Jennings, the situation is shifting from surprising to humbling. Teams may now wait for the NFL Draft rather than invest heavily in a receiver whose value might be system-dependent.
Jennings is still unsigned. Chris Simms says it’s about pricing. The market says it’s about role. The 49ers have already moved on, with a clearer, arguably better fit in Evans.