The Vikings agree to a 1-year deal with receiver Jauan Jennings
[May 08, 2026]
By JOSH DUBOW
Jauan Jennings agreed to a one-year contract with the
Minnesota Vikings on Thursday to give the team a needed third option at
receiver.
Agent Drew Rosenhaus said the deal could be worth up to $13 million. |
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings speaks during a news
conference after an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the
Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP
Photo/Matt Rourke,File) |
|
The Vikings were looking for a replacement for Jalen Nailor
after he left as a free agent to sign with Las Vegas earlier
this offseason. Jennings joins a receiver group led by two-time
All-Pro Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
Jennings, who turns 29 in July, spent the past five seasons with
the San Francisco 49ers, where he was a dependable option on
third down and one of the best downfield blockers among
receivers. He was originally a seventh-round pick in 2020 by the
49ers.
He caught 210 passes for 2,581 yards and 22 TDs in 75 games for
San Francisco, with his best season coming in 2024 when he set
career highs with 77 catches for 975 yards. Jennings had 55
catches for 643 yards and nine TDs last season, while also
throwing a touchdown pass in a playoff win against Philadelphia.
Jennings sought a long-term contract with San Francisco last
summer when he sat out for most of training camp. He eventually
agreed to a deal that added $3 million in incentives and became
a free agent in March.
Jennings didn't have a hot market early in free agency and ended
up with the one-year deal with Minnesota after the deadline for
when signings would impact the compensatory draft pick formula.
San Francisco replaced him by signing Mike Evans and Christian
Kirk in free agency and drafting De’Zhaun Stribling with the
first pick of the second round.
Jennings had nearly one-third of his career receptions — 69 out
of 270 — convert on third down, earning him the nickname “Third
and Jauan” during his time with the 49ers. He also takes great
pride in his physical play as a blocker and was key factor on
many long runs by Christian McCaffrey during his time in San
Francisco.
Jennings' biggest game came on the biggest stage. In the Super
Bowl following the 2023 season, he threw a touchdown pass in the
first half and caught a go-ahead TD pass in the fourth quarter
against Kansas City. He was in line to be the possible MVP
before the Chiefs rallied for a 25-22 overtime win.
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