49ers WR, Steelers Target Jauan Jennings Inks New Deal in San Francisco
The Pittsburgh Steelers will not be trading for Jauan Jennings, but it could open up other doors for the team on the wide receiver market.
The San Francisco 49ers are giving wide receiver Jauan Jennings a new two-year, $15.4 million extension, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. With Jennings extended, the team has Jennings, Deebo Samuel, and Ricky Pearsall under contract past the 2024 season but has yet to strike a deal with top receiver Brandon Aiyuk. The Pittsburgh Steelers were speculated as a trade spot for Jennings if talks did not materialize.
Jennings remained away from OTAs as they negotiated a deal. The 49ers general manager, John Lynch, has remained adamant that the team will get something done with Aiyuk, as well. However, after the team drafted both Pearsall and Jacob Cowing, more questions arose about the plan for the future in the room. It seems one massive question is answered with that room, and now it might open the door for the Steelers to make a deal with the 49ers.
So, while one door closes, another opens in this case. It sounds like Aiyuk wants near Amon-Ra St. Brown’s $28 million per year in a new extension, which might be too steep for the 49ers. Yet, would the Steelers be able to pay Aiyuk or want to make that deal if that is what they desire? Not only would they have to pay Aiyuk that money, but they would have to give up significant draft picks.
Regardless, as things sit right now, the Steelers still need a wide receiver. There will likely be some movement on that front the closer the season comes, perhaps even into the dwells of training camp. But Aiyuk or anyone else they look to acquire will almost certainly need a new contract, and Pittsburgh seems to be budgeting for what the future could hold with plenty of free agents following the 2024 season.
Read This Next
