Trade Packages 49ers Must Consider for Jauan Jennings Instead of Paying New Contract

Jauan Jennings emerged as a star for the San Francisco 49ers last year and is now seeking to be paid like one.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the wideout informed the Niners that he either wants a new contract or to be traded if the club isn't willing to offer a market value extension.

Jennings is due to make just $7.5 million in the final year of his current contract—a two-year, $15.4 million extension he signed last May—making him one of the league's biggest bargains following a breakout 77-catch, 975-receiving yard, six-touchdown 2024 campaign.

The 28-year-old could be critical to San Francisco's offensive success in 2025. With Deebo Samuel traded to the Washington Commanders and Brandon Aiyuk recovering from a torn ACL, Jennings was slated to open the year as the 49ers' No. 1 receiver and should remain in a feature role upon Aiyuk's return.

While Schefter reported that Jennings isn't planning to hold out—a tactic Aiyuk leveraged last year before he inked a four-year, $120 million extension in late August—the receiver wishes to get a contract finalized by the time training camp begins next week or be traded to a franchise willing to pay him.

Jennings may have a tough time convincing San Francisco to shell out for his services, though.

The receiver accounts for just $4.3 million against San Francisco's cap and trading him would only result in $3 million in cap savings along with a $1.2 million dead money charge. He's also yet to prove he can consistently perform at a high level, having tallied a relatively modest 78/963/7 stat line during the first three seasons of his career.

Still, an unhappy player could be an unwelcome locker room distraction for a 49ers squad hoping to turn things around following a disappointing 6-11 season.

If San Francisco's brass doesn't believe Jennings will be as impactful in 2025 as he was last year or doesn't envision the wideout as part of its long-term plans, dealing him now instead of losing him next spring for nothing but a compensatory draft pick could be the best move.

With that in mind, here's a look at four trade packages the Niners would have to consider if offered for Jennings.

Las Vegas Raiders

Michael Owens/Getty Images

Las Vegas Raiders receive: WR Jauan Jennings

San Francisco 49ers receive: 2026 third-round pick, WR Tre Tucker

The Las Vegas Raiders have made their intent to contend clear, spending much of the offseason upgrading the roster and bringing in a 73-year-old head coach in Pete Carroll who isn't interested in rebuilding.

While the Raiders acquired a solid starting quarterback in Geno Smith on the trade market, added a potential generational talent at running back in first-round pick Ashton Jeanty and bolstered the offensive line by signing Alex Cappa, they are still at risk of staking their success in 2025 on a slew of rookie receivers.

Jakobi Meyers moonlit as a No. 1 receiver for much of last season following Davante Adams' departure and will continue to fill that position if the Raiders fail to make a move, but he's far better suited for a secondary role.

The team lacks a true top option right now and is stuck hoping one can emerge from a rookie trio that includes second-rounder Jack Bech, fourth-rounder Dont'e Thornton Jr. and sixth-rounder Tommy Mellott.

While all three prospects have potential, the Raiders need a proven weapon to feel confident in their chances of emerging from a hyper-competitive AFC West—a division that boasted three postseason teams in 2024—this coming season.

Jennings could be exactly who Vegas needs to get over the hump and return to the playoffs for only the second time since the 2016 season.

Jennings would be a strong fit in new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly's system.

The receiver thrived last season with creative head coach Kyle Shanahan scheming up ways for him to get the ball in space, and Kelly could do the same if the Raiders are willing to cough up some picks and cap space to land Jennings.

Neither asset should be much of an issue given Las Vegas has all its picks in the 2026 draft and $31.8 million in cap space at its disposal. Kicking over a late-Day 2 pick in addition to Tre Tucker—an up-and-down 2023 third-rounder who could quickly fall out of favor with the new regime in Sin City—should get the job done.

New England Patriots

AP Photo/Scot Tucker

New England Patriots receive: WR Jauan Jennings

San Francisco 49ers receive: 2026 fourth-round pick, WR Ja'Lynn Polk

The New England Patriots may have one of the NFL's most crowded receivers rooms going into training camp, but it wouldn't be a shock if they made a splash to add another talented wideout into the mix.

New England brought in a new regime helmed by head coach Mike Vrabel and de facto general manger Eliot Wolf, a pairing whose mission is to develop and support Drake Maye, the blossoming second-year quarterback fresh off his first Pro Bowl appearance.

The front office worked on this goal earlier in the offseason by drafting a potential star tackle in Will Campbell at No. 3 overall and signing a pair of veterans Garrett Bradbury and Morgan Moses, a series of moves that completely overhauled a roughshod Patriots offensive line.

New England also greatly bolstered the backfield by selecting TreVeyon Henderson—one of the best pass-protecting prospects to enter the league in some time—early on Day 2.

While the Pats did expend a third-round pick on wideout Kyle Williams and signed both Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins, they could still use some help at the receiver position. This will be especially true if Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker—wideouts the previous regime tapped in the second and fourth rounds, respectively, last year—don't show vast improvement during camp.  

Vrabel revealed last month that he would be monitoring holdout situations around the league in search of trade opportunities. With Jennings indicating he wants a new deal, the cash-flush Pats could be well-positioned to strike.

Trading for Jennings would immediately bolster Maye's weapons and give the young signal-caller one of the league's deepest receiving corps. The Pats could facilitate this deal by giving Polk a chance for a fresh start in San Francisco's offense and adding an early Day 3 pick into the mix.

If the offer is accepted, Jennings would contend with Diggs—who is notably coming off an ACL tear that cut his 2024 campaign short—for the No. 1 role in New England's passing attack. The pairing would give opposing defensive coordinators fits and could allow Maye to quickly develop into one of the best young passers in the game.

New York Jets

AP Photo

New York Jets receive: WR Jauan Jennings

San Francisco 49ers receive: 2026 fifth-round pick, 2027 third-round pick

The New York Jets are forging a new era but still need all the help they can get to finally snap the league's longest active playoff drought.

With the sun set on a fruitless Aaron Rodgers era, Gang Green are turning the offense over to a first-rounder-turned-journeyman in Justin Fields.

The polarizing signal-caller struggled during his three seasons with the Chicago Bears but showed potential during a six-game stint as the Pittsburgh Steelers starter last year.

Whether Fields can be a reliable No. 1 QB in the NFL is still a mystery at this point, although the Jets clearly believe the 2021 first-rounder has what it takes to lead their team after issuing him a two-year, $40 million deal in free agency.

New York's work isn't done yet, though. The team can still improve the roster and should do so with a focus on augmenting Fields with the best possible armada of pass-catchers they can.

The Jets may have a superstar receiver in Garrett Wilson—who just became one of the league's highest paid players—but the rest of the receivers room leaves something to be desired.

Both Josh Reynolds and Allen Lazard are getting up there in age and have largely underwhelmed throughout their careers. Fourth-round rookie Arian Smith and third-round sophomore Malachi Corley are both unproven and can't be relied upon for consistent production yet.

Trading for Jennings would immediately give the Jets a clear No. 2 option across from Wilson. It could be an ideal role for the current San Francisco 49ers wideout after he found success with less help in an injury-depleted 49ers offense last year.

Jennings' cheap projected costs of just $10 million per year would help a potentially cash-strapped Jets squad remain competent in the coming seasons as well.

While the Jets don't have their own third-round pick in 2026 due to the failed Haason Reddick trade, they could create a package of Day 3 picks in 2026 along with a Day 2 selection in 2027 to facilitate the move.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers receive: WR Jauan Jennings

San Francisco 49ers receive: 2026 third-round pick, WR Calvin Austin III

The Pittsburgh Steelers are going all-in on a Super Bowl run this season.

With Aaron Rodgers signing a one-year deal with the organization and revealing he's "pretty sure" 2025 will be his final NFL season, Pittsburgh has an extremely limited window to contend with the future Hall of Famer under center.

One way the club can improve the chances of this season being a memorable one is by trading for another quality pass-catcher.

Pittsburgh already acquired one star wideout this offseason in D.K. Metcalf, but the departure of George Pickens has left a noticeable void in the receivers room. The depth behind Metcalf is shaky at best right now, with Robert Woods and Calvin Austin III both poised to play major roles in 2025.

Trading for Jennings could fill that hole and give Rodgers a pair of prolific receivers to work with during his 21st season.

Jennings should be a relatively affordable option, something that should help a Pittsburgh squad that has just $24.4 million in available cap room at this juncture. According to Spotrac, the wideout has an estimated market value slightly north of $10 million per season—a figure the Steelers could easily fit on the books and still have room to add more depth if needed.

Pittsburgh is flush with draft capital next year, having added a Day 2 pick from the Dallas Cowboys to the coffers during the Pickens trade. That 2026 third-rounder could be leveraged as part of a package that springs Jennings free from San Francisco, especially if the Steelers are willing to part with a replacement receiver in the deal.

Giving up that selection from Dallas and Calvin Austin III—a promising 2022 fourth-rounder who has largely underwhelmed during his time with the Steelers and needs a change of scenery—should be enough to convince the Niners to move on if they refuse to extend Jennings.