Wide receiver Jauan Jennings was re-signed by the San Francisco 49ers to a two-year, $15.4 million deal extension as part of their ongoing effort to replenish and strengthen their offence.
As the 49ers’ starting wide receiver, Jennings is expected to compete with rookie Ricky Pearsall for snaps this coming season.
Had the 49ers prevailed over the Kansas City Chiefs, Jennings would have been the clear favourite to win the Super Bowl MVP award.
Due to Jennings’ salary, it is also improbable that the Niners will maintain both wide receivers, Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, on the roster for the next season.
Deebo’s contract has an escape clause, and Aiyuk is allegedly still trying to climb the ranks of wide receiver contracts.
However, it is now evident that the 49ers have likely decided on quarterback Brock Purdy’s second deal after signing Jennings.
The 49ers are making room on the books for a second contract for Brock Purdy.
Given Purdy’s impending big extension, San Francisco has plenty of leeway with Jennings’s two-year contract.
However, the 49ers appear to have made the decision to retool their roster going forward in order to centre their efforts around the third-year signal-caller and his inevitable large contract extension by keeping him in the fold and selecting multiple young receivers and additional offensive weapons.
Thanks to the cost-controlled performances of receivers like Jacob Cowing and Pearsall, the Niners will be able to afford the estimated $50 million or more that Purdy would likely cost to stay in red and gold.
By signing Jennings for two years as opposed to one, the 49ers will be able to keep their core of three receivers, even if they decide to cut one of their star players.
Additionally, Aiyuk and Samuel’s Niners purchasing spree shows how they have already started organising the books for Purdy’s upcoming extension.
How this could alter the 49ers’ plan
San Francisco’s abundance of receivers suggests that head coach Kyle Shanahan might begin to construct a scheme around Purdy.
Despite Jennings’ exceptional situational skills, the 49ers only utilised 11 personnel, or three wide receivers, 41 percent of the time.
That was the fifth-lowest in the NFL the previous season. The 49ers view the slot receiver position as crucial but not particularly valued, which makes Jennings’ new deal somewhat of a luxury.
But the Niners have shown a willingness to throw the ball more to Purdy, and with more weapons available in the passing game, it appears the team is starting to put more faith in Purdy to guide them through any circumstance by adjusting their offensive arsenal to suit their quarterback.
All things considered, the 49ers’ summer strategy seems to suggest they have chosen to put even more faith in the erstwhile Mr. Irrelevant to serve as their long-term leader.
It remains to be seen if this was the best course of action.
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