Jauan Jennings is poised to become an unrestricted free agent in the upcoming offseason. After spending his initial three seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, his contract is set to expire. However, it remained uncertain how sought-after he would be in the open market.
His performance in the Super Bowl is likely to significantly increase his demand. Jauan Jennings joins Nick Foles as the sole players to have both thrown and caught a touchdown in the same Super Bowl.
Had the 49ers managed to secure victory in the game, Jennings would likely have been named the MVP. Although his yardage and catch numbers were not extraordinary, with 4 receptions for 42 yards, his catches were crucial. Three of them resulted in first downs, and he was responsible for both of his team’s touchdowns during the game.
In the second quarter, Jennings extended San Francisco’s lead by 10 points by throwing a touchdown pass to Christian McCaffrey in a trick play. He also caught a 10-yard pass and fought through tackles for another touchdown in the third quarter.
Ultimately, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs proved to be too formidable. In overtime, the 49ers settled for a field goal after a potential touchdown pass eluded Jennings in the end zone. Kansas City then scored a touchdown on their subsequent drive to secure victory.
Jauan Jennings had an exceptional game:
– 4 targets
– 4 catches
– 3 first downs
– 1 receiving touchdown
– 1 passing touchdown
– 79.9 run-blocking grade, which was the third highest on the team.
Winning the Super Bowl MVP would have undoubtedly bolstered Jennings’ credentials as a free agent. Other lesser-known players have won the award and subsequently secured lucrative contracts.
However, his ability to make big plays in a high-stakes game should enhance his value in the open market. Although this year’s group of free agent wide receivers is not particularly deep, Jennings’ regular season performance of 19 catches for 265 yards and 1 touchdown did not make a strong case for him.
While these numbers may not stand out compared to other free agent wide receivers, such as Mack Hollins and Alex Erickson, his two touchdowns in the Super Bowl will undoubtedly make a difference.
Will the 49ers express interest in re-signing him? They should have the necessary salary cap space, but they will face a hefty bill in 2025. They will likely only offer Jennings a one-year deal as they also need to allocate funds for Brandon Aiyuk. However, Jennings will likely seek a longer-term contract for added security.
According to the Source sportslens.com