While there’s been plenty of attention paid to who the San Francisco 49ers have brought in this offseason, not as much has been discussed about what they’ve lost, which includes some key contributors.
Arguably their biggest loss of the offseason was at wide receiver, as Jauan Jennings left for a one-year, $8 million deal with the Minnesota Vikings, where he’ll be the team’s third or fourth option.
The impact of Jennings’ departure may be offset by the arrivals of Mike Evans, Christian Kirk and De’Zhaun Stribling, but Jennings is still being identified as one of the league’s most underrated wide receivers heading into 2026.
“In Minnesota, the 28-year-old will be sharing targets with Justin Jefferson, budding star Jordan Addison and tight end T.J. Hockenson,” Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox wrote. “However, Jennings’ value to the Vikings should be tremendous. He doesn’t possess elite speed, but he’s consistently shown that he can win with size (6-foot-3, 212 lbs), physicality, route-running and work ethic. The fact that he didn’t sign with Minnesota until May was surprising.”
Over the last five years, Jennings caught 210 passes for 2,581 yards and 22 touchdowns for the 49ers and really turned things up a notch the past two seasons with Deebo Samuel’s departure and Brandon Aiyuk’s injury/off-field issues.
Serving as a third wide receiver again could really benefit Jennings, as his addition in Minnesota’s wide receiver corps. could make them the most formidable trio in the league.
More 49ers: Analyst predicts 49ers could trade valuable asset to NFC South in 2026
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: Former 49ers WR tabbed as one of the most underrated in the NFL
Reporting by Mike Masala, Dolphins Wire / Niners Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Mike Masala, Dolphins Wire | USA TODAY Network
