Shanahan Says Jennings is Happy in Minnesota Amid 49Ers Reunion Talk

WHO:

ESPN - San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan spoke with Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jauan Jennings by FaceTime about a possible return to San Francisco.

NBC Sports Bay Area & California - Jennings was previously a 49ers receiver; San Francisco had also brought back linebacker Dre Greenlaw and receiver Deebo Samuel and traded for defensive tackle DeForest Buckner.

ESPN - The 49ers selected Jennings in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL draft.

ESPN - Jennings said he was “happy with where he was” and “pretty happy here and liking stuff.”

ESPN - Shanahan said, “We love Jauan,” and described the conversation as good, adding there was no bad blood between Jennings and the team.

NBC Sports Bay Area & California - FOX Sports reporter Jay Glazer said the proposed deal required Jennings to speak with Shanahan and 49ers general manager John Lynch and agree to return.

WHAT:

ESPN - The 49ers and Vikings came close to a trade that would have sent Jennings to San Francisco, but the deal did not happen after Jennings chose to stay in Minnesota.

ESPN - A source told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler that Minnesota allowed Jennings to speak with Shanahan before completing the deal; Fox Sports had first reported the talks.

ESPN - Jennings had six catches for 54 yards on 10 targets for Minnesota, according to the article.

ESPN - In his final San Francisco season, Jennings recorded 55 receptions, 643 yards and nine touchdowns while playing through shoulder, ankle, chest and rib injuries.

ESPN - Jennings sought a lucrative long-term contract before the 2025 training camp but instead received a $3 million increase in playing-time incentives. As an unrestricted free agent, he signed a one-year, $8 million Minnesota contract with incentives that could raise it to $13 million.

ESPN - San Francisco remained interested in adding a receiver, with injuries affecting Mike Evans, Demarcus Robinson, Samuel and De’Zhaun Stribling.

ESPN - The 49ers opened Robinson’s practice window; he participated on a limited basis. Evans and Samuel did not practice. Shanahan said Evans had “made a lot of progress” and he would be “surprised” if Samuel returned against the Las Vegas Raiders, saying the Dallas Cowboys game was more likely.

ESPN - Shanahan said the 49ers would seek a receiver able to learn their offense quickly, describing receiver as a difficult position for a midseason fit. He cited Emmanuel Sanders, acquired in a 2019 trade, as a special case who quickly contributed to a Super Bowl run.

NBC Sports Bay Area & California - Jennings’ departure followed a contract dispute before the 2025 NFL season; Shanahan said the trade decision was not due to bad blood.

WHERE:

ESPN - The proposed trade involved the San Francisco 49ers and Minnesota Vikings; Jennings chose to remain in Minnesota.

ESPN - Shanahan spoke from Santa Clara, California, according to the article’s dateline.

WHEN:

ESPN - Shanahan discussed the trade talks with reporters on Wednesday.

NBC Sports Bay Area & California - Glazer reported the proposed trade on a Sunday pregame show.

ESPN - The article said the 49ers were pursuing receiver help before Tuesday’s trade deadline.

NBC Sports Bay Area & California - The article identified the trade deadline as Nov. 10.

ESPN - Jennings’ previous 49ers tenure lasted six years; he called it “a run I’ll never forget.”

WHY:

ESPN - Jennings stayed because he liked his situation in Minnesota; Shanahan said he understood and agreed with Jennings’ reasoning.

ESPN - San Francisco sought receiver depth amid injuries and Jennings’ limited involvement in Minnesota’s offense.

HOW:

ESPN - The 49ers and Vikings had to agree on some trade terms before Jennings could speak with Shanahan; the conversation took place by FaceTime.

NBC Sports Bay Area & California - Glazer said the proposed trade was contingent on Jennings agreeing during a FaceTime call with Shanahan and Lynch.

The 49ers nearly traded with Minnesota for Jauan Jennings, but he chose to stay. Jennings told Kyle Shanahan by FaceTime he was happy in Minnesota. San Francisco still seeks receiver help amid injuries, with the trade deadline approaching.