Former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings has a new home with the Minnesota Vikings according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Jennings’ deal is worth up to $13 million according to Schefter, which might have been a deal the 49ers were willing to do had that been the number the 29-year-old was looking for from the beginning. His contract dispute last offseason, along with his prolonged free agency indicate he was looking for a deal worth north of that.
The 49ers made it clear early in the offseason they were ready to move on from Jennings who posted 132 catches for 1,618 yards and 15 touchdowns over the last two seasons in an expanded role within a banged up receiving corps. Despite his success, the 49ers let Jennings hit the free agent market. Then they signed WRs Mike Evans and Christian Kirk. Then they picked WR De’Zhaun Stribling with the No. 33 overall pick in this year’s draft.
If John Lynch’s words at the NFL annual league meetings weren’t enough, the team’s actions throughout the offseason put the writing on the wall.
Now Jennings will have a new home in Minnesota where former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray will be under center. Jennings will likely take on a tertiary role behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
The 49ers selected Jennings with a seventh-round pick in the 2020 draft. He spent his rookie season on the practice squad, but quickly carved out a role in his second season. In the last five years Jennings has played 75 games with 32 starts. He earned 330 targets and hauled in 210 catches for 2,581 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also earned the nickname “Third-and-Jauan” by grabbing 87 of his 210 catches (41.4 percent) on third down, and turning 69 of those 87 third-down receptions (79.3 percent) into first downs or touchdowns.
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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers free agent WR lands $13 million contract with Vikings
Reporting by Kyle Madson, Niners Wire / Niners Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
