But the acquisition of Evans and Kirk may signal the end of Jauan Jennings’s era in San Francisco. General manager John Lynch indicated optimism about the new veteran pair, suggesting the team plans to lean on established players at the position. Jennings, who had a career year in 2024 and emerged as a top target during 2025, now faces an uncertain future as negotiations for a new deal appear unlikely to keep him in San Francisco.
Jennings joined the 49ers as a seventh-round pick in 2020 and gradually earned a larger role. He posted a career-high 77 receptions for 975 yards and six touchdowns in 2024, stepping up when injuries disrupted the receiving room. In 2025, he led the team with 55 receptions for 643 yards and nine touchdowns, underscoring his productive presence but leaving him weighing a substantial contract against the team’s new acquisitions.
With Jennings unsigned, a return on a short-term, prove-it deal remains a possibility, though it would depend on where he lands in a restructured depth chart and whether he views his role as a fit behind Evans and Kirk. For now, the 49ers appear positioned to prioritize the veteran depth at receiver, while remaining open to further adjustments as the draft and free agency continue to shape their offense.
Jennings’s trajectory reflects a player who evolved into a reliable option, especially when supporting injuries in the wider receiver group. As the 49ers move forward with Evans, Kirk, and a strengthened depth chart, the question remains where Jennings will land next if he does not return to San Francisco. The situation will be one to watch as teams finalize rosters ahead of the upcoming season.
