Report: Jauan Jennings Turned Down 49ers Reunion to Stay With Vikings

Jauan Jennings wanted to stay with the Minnesota Vikings after the San Francisco 49ers tried to bring him back in a trade, according to reports Sunday, November 1, from FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Glazer reported that the teams had worked out trade terms, with the potential reunion contingent on Jennings telling 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch that he wanted to return. Jennings instead indicated he preferred Minnesota, and the proposed move did not proceed.

Fowler reported that the Vikings gave Jennings a voice in the process. A source told ESPN that the receiver believes in Minnesota’s direction and his place in its offense. That describes how the teams handled this discussion, rather than establishing a contractual right to block every trade.

Jennings entered Sunday with four catches for 43 yards on eight targets. The 29-year-old joined Minnesota in May on a one-year contract worth up to $13 million, after spending his first five playing seasons with San Francisco.

When the Vikings agreed to terms, Kevin O’Connell emphasized Jennings’ size, physical approach and ability to make contested catches alongside Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. The coach also described a role requiring work from the slot, success against individual coverage on third downs and production after the catch.

“The guy loves playing football,” O’Connell said in May, according to the Vikings’ account of that news conference. His comments described the qualities Minnesota sought when it signed Jennings, months before the latest trade discussions. Minnesota hosted Jennings for a visit after the draft before completing the agreement.

San Francisco’s interest comes amid injuries at receiver. Ricky Pearsall is out for the season, while rookie De’Zhaun Stribling and veteran Demarcus Robinson are on injured reserve. The NFL trade deadline is November 10 at 4 p.m. EST.