The San Francisco 49ers’ pursuit of veteran wide receiver Jauan Jennings has hit a sudden and definitive wall after the receiver personally rejected a trade back to his former team. According to insider Jay Glazer of FOX Sports, the 49ers and Minnesota Vikings had already agreed on trade terms to send Jennings to San Francisco. However, the deal required Jennings’ explicit consent during a FaceTime call with head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch. Jennings reportedly told the 49ers leadership, “Actually, no, I want to stay here in Minnesota,” effectively killing the transaction before it could be finalized.
Veteran WR turns down Kyle Shanahan’s FaceTime offer to stay in Minnesota
Jennings, a seventh-round pick in 2020, spent his first five NFL seasons in San Francisco, establishing himself as a reliable chain-mover. He posted solid numbers in 2024 with 77 receptions for 975 yards and six touchdowns, and followed up with 55 catches for 643 yards and nine touchdowns in 2025. Despite these strong recent performances, his production has been modest since joining the Vikings on a one-year deal this season. In five games with Minnesota, Jennings has recorded four catches on eight targets for 43 yards, a sample size that may have influenced his decision to remain in a situation where he retains a defined role rather than returning to a crowded San Francisco receiving corps.
The rejection leaves the 49ers scrambling for receiver help ahead of the Nov. 10 trade deadline. The team’s need for additional depth at wide receiver has been well-documented, with The Athletic’s Jonathan Jones noting that San Francisco has been “sniffing around for wide receiver help” all year. With the Jennings option now off the table and star receiver Mike Evans dealing with Achilles tendinitis, the 49ers must look elsewhere to bolster their secondary options. Jennings’ decision signals a clear preference for stability in Minnesota, leaving the 49ers to pursue alternative targets in the final stretch of the trade window.
Source: Yahoo Sports
