How this 49ers player overcame setbacks to have his best year yet

What a turnaround.

Nov 2, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan looks on from the sidelines against the New York Giants during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images | Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

The San Francisco 49ers haven't had a WR1 option available all year.

Brandon Aiyuk hasn't featured and likely won’t wear red and gold again. Ricky Pearsall is injured once more, after missing a five-game stretch earlier this season. Kendrick Bourne and DeMarcus Robinson aren’t elite, but they’re solid depth option.

Against all odds, the 49ers are 11-4 and just two wins away from clinching the No. 1 seed in the NFC. One wide receiver’s remarkable turnaround has been a major factor in this playoff push.

Jauan Jennings is finally proving his worth

Dec 22, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (15) takes a selfie after the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images | Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Jauan Jennings is playing the best football of his career. He’s appeared in 13 of the 15 regular season games, and when you break the season into two halves, his improvement in the latter stretch is truly remarkable.

Jennings struggled early in the season after holding out of training camp for a payday and suffering a calf injury in camp, which left him playing catch-up. He eventually agreed to performance-based incentives.

In the early part of the season, Jennings looked unbothered. His production lagged so far behind his career-best 2024 season, which came during an otherwise disastrous 6-11 campaign for the 49ers.

Jennings scored only one touchdown in his first six games, struggling with drops and erratic decision-making. His focus appeared off at times, though injuries to his shoulder, ankle, and five broken ribs likely played a role.

Perhaps the criticism was too harsh, as Jennings played through all those injuries. His toughness is undeniable; he was clearly willing to give it his all, despite being so banged up.

As Jennings regained health and match sharpness, he turned his season around. From Week 7 against the New York Giants through Week 15 against the Indianapolis Colts, he recorded seven touchdowns and delivered performances that showed flashes of his 2024 form.

Jennings has always been a fan favorite among 49ers faithful, thanks to his reliability and unwavering passion for the crest on his jersey.

Even with the 49ers’ offense firing on all cylinders and nearly every weapon available, he’s stepping up and proving himself as a serious contributor. That’s why he’s having the best season of his career, recording a career-high total of eight touchdowns.

Although Jennings’ future beyond this season remains uncertain, the 49ers will need to avoid past mistakes and manage his situation carefully. At one point, it seemed like he might be on his way out. But now, if he keeps this upward trajectory, the opposite will likely occur.

Credit to Jennings for this turnaround.