Vikings' Jauan Jennings Explains Why He Turned Down Trade to Return to 49ers

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jauan Jennings explained to reporters Saturday why he turned down the opportunity to return to his former team, the San Francisco 49ers, via trade.

"I just thought it was best for both teams," Jennings told ESPN's Kevin Seifert. "No distractions. I love where I'm at."

Jennings played his first five NFL seasons with the 49ers. He enjoyed much success in town, amassing career-highs in receptions (77) and receiving yards (975) in 2024 and touchdowns (nine) in 2025.

Last offseason, Jennings signed a one-year, $8 million contract with the Vikings, putting him in line to be WR3 in town alongside starters Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.

This season hasn't featured much production from Jennings (or much of the Vikings' pass game), though. Through six games, Jennings has just six catches and 54 yards (no touchdowns) on 10 targets.

Jennings had the opportunity to back to San Francisco, per a report from Fox Sports' Jay Glazer last Sunday, but he turned it down (49-second mark).

"The 49ers, who already traded for DeForest Buckner, also had a trade term worked out for Jauan Jennings," Glazer said. "It was contingent upon him hopping on a FaceTime call with Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch and saying, 'Yeah, I want to come back,' but he didn't."

"He said, 'Actually, no, I want to stay here in Minnesota,'" Glazer said. "He likes what is going on in Minnesota."

San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan also had this to say.

"He likes where he's at," Shanahan said earlier this week, per Seifert, "and I thought he made sense [with] what he said, and I agreed with him."

Numerous San Francisco wideouts have suffered injuries this year. Mike Evans (ribs) and Deebo Samuel (hamstring) are out this week. Ricky Pearsall will miss the entire season with a PCL injury, and De'Zhaun Stribling (left ankle deltoid ligament sprain) has been out since Week 1.

So the 6-1 49ers, who lead the NFC West, can certainly use Jennings. However, Jennings will stick in Minnesota with the 6-1 Vikings, who sit first in the NFC North.

Jennings and the Vikings will play next on Monday vs. the 6-1 Buffalo Bills.