A new NFL season is here and it brings good news for former Tennessee receiver Jauan Jennings. The San Fransisco 49ers and Jennings are restructuring the receivers’ contract, adding up to $3 million in playing time incentives according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Jennings is entering the second-year of a two-year, $15.39 million deal he signed with the 49ers back ahead of the 2024 season. Jennings was originally set to earn $7.5 million during the 2025 season but can now earn up to $10.5 million with the restructured contract.
The six-year NFL vet has been negotiating a contract extension with San Fransisco this offseason but the two sides have yet to come to an agreement. Jennings has also battled a calf injury that he suffered early in training camp but is expected to be ready for San Fransisco’s season opener against Seattle Sunday.
A Murfreesboro, Tennessee native, Jennings has played his entire professional career with the 49ers and is coming off his best year as a pro. He led San Fransisco in receiving a season ago, hauling in 77 passes for 913 yards and six touchdowns. All three marks were career highs.
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San Fransisco will likely lean on Jennings heavily again this season. They traded receiver Deebo Samuel to Washington earlier this offseason and Brandon Aiyuk could miss time early this season after tearing both his ACL and MCL last season.
Besides Jennings, the 49ers roster receiver Ricky Pearsall and often throw the ball to star tight end George Kittle and running back Christian McCaffrey.
Despite a successful career, Jennings has made little in the NFL. San Fransisco originally drafted him in the seventh round but dropped him before his rookie season, allowing them to pay him less after resigning him once he cleared waivers. In fact, last season was the first time that Jennings made over $1 million in a single season.
Combine the lower NFL salary with California taxes and San Fransisco cost of living and Jennings was certainly not earning generational wealth in his first three years in the NFL.
Jennings is also an important part of San Fransisco’s run heavy offense as one of, if not the, best run blocking receivers in the league. The former Tennessee star also turned in one of the best performances of his career when the 49ers lost in overtime to the Chiefs in Super Bowl 58.
