Why the 49ers still believe in Jauan Jennings despite his down season

Jauan Jennings will likely remain with the 49ers after the trade deadline.

Sep 28, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (15) before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

The permutations of Jauan Jennings’ role have been a hotly discussed topic in recent weeks.

His 2025 numbers have fallen well short of expectations.

Regardless of injuries this season, his 2024 campaign showcased what he’s truly capable of. However, following his holdout at the start of the season, it was always likely he’d begin the year on the back foot due to a lack of sharpness.

Not only that, but the little things stand out. The body language, the energy. He just doesn’t look interested, no matter what he says.

Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

When speaking to reporters on Thursday, Mac Jones had plenty of good things to say about Jennings. But for a player who’s previously held out, Jones’ comments sounded more like the description of a model teammate than the reality we’ve seen.

"Oh, he's really tough. I really like Jauan," Jones shared. "I think obviously we're working through some things right now in terms of just trying to get him started in the games, but he comes out and works every day and he doesn't complain.

"Like, we were talking about some of the plays in the game that maybe I missed him or he didn't catch it or whatever, but it doesn't matter, we're on the same page.

"He's running fast, I'm trying to get him the ball and we're working together during practice. So, he's done a great job rehabbing his injuries and I think he's definitely getting better, like all of us are, each week.

Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

"And I just really love the way he works and I think a lot of people look up to him in a way, like he's played a lot of football and for him to be out there even when he doesn't have to be out there, maybe, shows a lot about his character.

"So, I'm looking forward to just getting that chemistry going. We haven't had a lot of reps together to be honest either. So, just working on that and I'm really excited for him. I know what he can do and I've seen him make really good plays in this offense."

Maybe Jones is just defending his teammate after a rough year. But there’s no denying Jennings has fallen short in 2025. It’s disappointing to see one of the 49ers’ most popular players jeopardize his legacy, though San Francisco’s move to include performance-based incentives suddenly looks very smart.

If he doesn’t secure a new deal, Jennings will hit free agency after the season. This second half of the season is the best chance to prove his worth, and with the 49ers' injury troubles, they need him to step up.