Kyle Shanahan’s Cryptic Words on Jauan Jennings Have 49ers Fans Questioning Everything

With the NFL trade deadline looming, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan just dropped a comment about wide receiver Jauan Jennings that’s got everyone raising their eyebrows. And honestly? You can’t blame them.

During Wednesday’s press conference, Shanahan addressed the swirling trade rumors surrounding Jennings with all the clarity of a foggy Bay Area morning. “I would be very surprised if Jauan wasn’t on our team throughout this year,” he said.

Wait—”very surprised”? Not exactly the iron-clad guarantee fans were hoping for, is it?

The Injury Angle Doesn’t Quite Add Up

Shanahan was quick to point to injuries as the reason for Jennings’ underwhelming performance this season. “Jauan‘s been really hurt all year,” the coach explained. “I think he’s getting better. I think last week was a step in the right direction.”

Here’s the thing, though: Jennings himself has been pretty vocal about playing through pain. After the Week 6 loss to Tampa Bay, he didn’t mince words. “You got high and low ankle sprains. You got shoulders at 20%. You got five broken ribs. It is what it is. You keep playing. Nobody cares.”

Five broken ribs? That’s not a minor inconvenience—that’s borderline superhuman toughness. Yet somehow, this gutsy performance hasn’t translated into Shanahan giving him a firm vote of confidence about his future with the team.

The Numbers Tell a Disappointing Story

Let’s be real: Jennings hasn’t exactly lit the stat sheet on fire this season. In six games, he’s managed just 212 receiving yards and one touchdown. For a guy who signed a two-year, $15.4 million extension in May 2024—with a salary ceiling bumped up to $10.5 million—those numbers are painfully underwhelming.

Compare that to his 2,150 yards and 14 touchdowns over five seasons, and you start to see why the 49ers might be weighing their options. Is he worth the investment when the production isn’t there? That’s the million-dollar (or $10.5 million) question.

Why Are We Even Talking About Trades?

The trade rumors didn’t just materialize out of thin air. Jennings reportedly requested a trade this offseason after contract negotiations stalled. The 49ers refused, restructured his deal instead, and that seemed to settle things. Or so we thought.

Now, with ESPN‘s Jeremy Fowler listing Jennings as a “player to watch” ahead of the Nov. 4 deadline—and the receiver mysteriously deactivating his Instagram page—speculation is at an all-time high. Add Shanahan’s lukewarm remarks into the mix, and suddenly, everything’s back on the table.

What Happens If Jennings Gets Dealt?

Trading Jennings would be a risky move for a team already battered by injuries. Brock Purdy’s been sidelined. Brandon Aiyuk hasn’t made his season debut yet. Ricky Pearsall and Jennings himself have missed significant time. Shipping out another receiver would further deplete an already thin position group.

Then again, if San Francisco doesn’t see a long-term future with Jennings, why not cash in now and get something in return? The 49ers could flip him for draft capital or use him as part of a package to land help elsewhere. It’s a calculated gamble, but one that might make sense depending on how they view his trajectory.

Jennings Says He’s Happy (For Now)

For what it’s worth, Jennings isn’t publicly agitating for a move. In fact, he had nothing but positive things to say about his teammates during his Wednesday locker room interview.

“I just love playing with this team, man,” he said. “To go out there every day and see guys like (George) Kittle, Juice (Kyle Juszczyk), Mac 10 (Mac Jones) out there… we’ve got a lot of guys on this team who want to contribute.”

That sounds like a player who wants to stay put. But does his employer feel the same way? Shanahan’s vague phrasing suggests maybe not.

The Bottom Line

Shanahan’s comments didn’t squash the trade rumors—they fanned the flames. Whether intentional or not, his choice of words left just enough wiggle room for doubt to creep in. Combined with Jennings’ injury struggles, lackluster stats, and past trade request, it’s hard not to wonder if something’s brewing behind the scenes.

The 49ers face the New York Giants this Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. If Jennings suits up and balls out, maybe all this speculation will fade away. But if he’s quiet again—or worse, doesn’t play—don’t be shocked if Nov. 4 brings some fireworks in Santa Clara.