Former Tennessee wide receiver Jauan Jennings is reuniting with a former teammate from his Rocky Top days after signing with the Minnesota Vikings last week. He’ll once again be teammates with Vikings safety and VFL Theo Jackson. The duo was in Knoxville at the same time from 2017 to 2019.
Jennings signed a one-year deal with the Vikings last week for a reported $8 million, with the opportunity to see $13 million after incentives. He’ll take his talent to the NFC North after spending his six-year career with the San Francisco 49ers, bolstering a wide receiver core that includes Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
Jackson was originally a sixth-round pick with the Tennessee Titans in the 2022 NFL Draft. He spent the early part of his rookie season on the Titans’ practice squad, but was signed by Minnesota that October with the Vikings needing help in the secondary. Since then, Jackson has played in 57 games with the Vikings’ defense and in no fewer than 11 games per season.
In four seasons with the Vikings, Jackson has racked up 94 total tackles, two interceptions, five pass deflections, and two fumble recoveries. He agreed to a two-year extension with the team in the spring of 2025.
There is a possibility of it being a short-lived reunion, though. With Jackson having already played in half of his two-year extension, combined with Jennings’ one-year deal, both players will be playing in a contract season in 2026. Minnesota clearly likes what Jackson has been able to do in the secondary, and Jennings could have a big role with the offense moving forward.
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After tallying just 78 catches in his first three seasons, Jennings broke through in 2024 with the Niners battling injuries to the pass-catching unit. He caught 77 passes for 975 yards and six touchdowns, which were all career highs at the time. Jennings battled a bevy of injuries himself leading into and during the 2025 season, but managed to play through them and caught 55 passes for 643 yards and a new career-high nine touchdowns.
There will be a return to San Francisco this season, though. While we don’t know the exact date, we do know that Jennings and the Vikings will square off against the Niners in San Francisco at some point during the 2026 football season.
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