After six seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, Jauan Jennings has moved on and signed with the Minnesota Vikings. And one NFL insider thinks that Minneapolis could be a great place for Jennings to get what he was looking for with the Niners.
Jennings' numbers peaked during the 2024 season, during which he caught 77 passes (only one less than the previous three years combined) for 975 yards and 6 touchdowns. Last season, despite catching a career-high 9 touchdowns, he had 22 fewer receptions and more than 300 fewer yards.
Entering free agency on a relatively down year, Jennings was reportedly hoping for $20 million a year or so. Instead, he settled for a one-year deal with the Vikings that guarantees him $8 million and can rise to $13 million.
But Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer argues that the deal, however unsatisfying for Jennings, could be a great launchpad for the soon-to-be-29-year-old wideout.
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“Jauan Jennings’ signing in Minnesota is interesting, in that he took way less than he was shooting for. After all, money was what ultimately led to him becoming disgruntled in leaving San Francisco,” Breer wrote. “So will he be happy with so many mouths to feed in the Vikings’ offense, and another receiver, Jordan Addison, playing for a contract? We’ll see. It’s a golden opportunity for him to turn perception a bit, if he can fit in.”
Jennings, a high-school quarterback, starred at Tennessee before becoming the 49ers' seventh-round draft pick in 2020. Playing alongside the likes of Greg Kittle, Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, and Brandon Aiyuk, he totaled more than 2,500 yards and 22 touchdowns.
The Vikings are entering the 2026 season after signing former No. 1 overall pick Kyler Murray, who was released by the Arizona Cardinals. Murray is on the roster along with fellow quarterbacks JJ McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer.
After six seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, Jauan Jennings has moved on and signed with the Minnesota Vikings. And one NFL insider thinks that Minneapolis could be a great place for Jennings to get what he was looking for with the Niners. Jennings' numbers peaked during the 2024 season, during which he caught 77 passes (only one less than the previous three years combined) for 975 yards and 6 touchdowns.