49ers Missed Jennings Trade: Shanahan says receiver chose to stay with Vikings

San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed that his team reached a verbal agreement to trade for Minnesota Vikings receiver Jauan Jennings earlier this week. The deal fell through after Shanahan and Jennings spoke via video call, and the receiver chose to remain in Minnesota.

A source told ESPN on Sunday that the 49ers had completed the necessary steps with the Vikings to finalize the transaction. The only remaining condition was a conversation between the coach and the player. Shanahan said he did not want to move Jennings without hearing his thoughts first. The two men connected on FaceTime before the trade was officially signed.

"We love Jauan," Shanahan said Wednesday. "We have such a good relationship with Jauan and know him real well, and we didn't want to do it without talking to him first. So, we had to agree on some things to at least make it close enough to be able to talk to him. And when we got on a FaceTime with JJ, it went well."

Shanahan explained that Jennings initially seemed open to the move but eventually expressed satisfaction with his current situation. The coach described the conversation as positive but definitive in its outcome. Jennings told Shanahan, "Man, Kyle, I'm pretty happy here and liking stuff."

"It was a good conversation," Shanahan added. "and something that was possible, but that's why it didn't go down." The coach noted there was no bad blood between the parties. He agreed with Jennings' reasoning, stating that the receiver is surrounded by good people and likes where he is.

The 49ers have been active in reuniting with former players. They re-signed linebacker Dre Greenlaw and receiver Deebo Samuel during the offseason. Last week, they traded for defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, six years after he left for the Indianapolis Colts. Jennings was selected by San Francisco in the seventh round of the 2020 draft. He spent five seasons with the team before becoming a free agent.

Jennings finished the 2025 season in San Francisco with 55 receptions for 643 yards and nine touchdowns. He played through injuries to his shoulder, ankle, chest, and ribs that year. After failing to secure a long-term deal, he signed a one-year contract with the Vikings worth $8 million, with incentives that could raise the total to $13 million. This season, Jennings has recorded six catches for 54 yards on 10 targets.

With Jennings off the table, the 49ers continue to seek help at the receiver position. Injuries have sidelined several key players. Mike Evans is out with an Achilles injury, and Demarcus Robinson has an ankle injury. Deebo Samuel is dealing with a hamstring issue, and De'Zhaun Stribling has an ankle injury. Robinson practiced as a limited participant Wednesday. Evans and Samuel did not practice. Shanahan said Evans has made progress but is unlikely to play against the Las Vegas Raiders this week. The team faces the Dallas Cowboys next week. The trade deadline is Tuesday.