Rams Have Golden Opportunity to Sign 49ers Star Receiver

Jauan Jennings remains unsigned, and a one-year deal with the Rams could be the key to his next big contract.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 9:54am

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The Los Angeles Rams have a chance to sign former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings, who remains unsigned after the NFL Draft. Jennings was a key contributor for the 49ers, but the team opted to sign Mike Evans instead of giving Jennings a long-term deal. 49ers GM John Lynch praised Jennings' play and character, saying he'll find a good home elsewhere. The Rams could offer Jennings a one-year deal, which would allow him to boost his value and earn a bigger contract next offseason.

Why it matters

Signing Jennings would not only weaken the Rams' NFC West rival 49ers, but it would also give the Rams a talented receiver who could thrive in their offense. Jennings has proven himself as a reliable WR3 who can step up as a WR2, making him an attractive target for the Rams as they look to build on their recent success.

The details

Jennings, a former 49ers receiver, remains unsigned after the NFL Draft. 49ers GM John Lynch praised Jennings' play and character, saying he'll find a good home elsewhere. The Rams could offer Jennings a one-year deal, which would allow him to boost his value and earn a bigger contract next offseason. Jennings was looking for a multi-year deal from the 49ers, but the team opted to sign Mike Evans instead on a one-year contract.

  • The 49ers let Jennings go in favor of signing Mike Evans during the 2026 offseason.
  • Jennings remains unsigned as teams look for the right price tag following the 2026 NFL Draft.

The players

Jauan Jennings

A former wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers who is currently a free agent. Jennings was a key contributor for the 49ers, but the team opted not to re-sign him to a long-term deal.

John Lynch

The general manager of the San Francisco 49ers, who praised Jennings' play and character, saying he'll find a good home elsewhere.

Mike Evans

A wide receiver who the 49ers signed to a one-year contract, replacing Jennings on the roster.

Kyle Shanahan

The head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, who Lynch said was one of Jennings' favorite players.

Los Angeles Rams

The NFC West rival of the 49ers, who could sign Jennings to a one-year deal and weaken their division opponent.

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What they’re saying

“You know, that's hard, because Jauan's played such good football for us. We made a lot of efforts to try to get Jauan done long-term in the end. Last year, we came up with a one-year deal with some incentives, and Jauan, to his credit, went and earned those. He was a pro.”

— John Lynch, 49ers General Manager

“Jauan's one of my favorite players and one of Kyle [Shanahan's] favorite players. He'll find a good home. And I think Jauan will go play great football for someone. Can't say enough for what that guy did for … When that guy stepped between the lines, man, he was a presence, and they had to deal with him.”

— John Lynch, 49ers General Manager

What’s next

The Rams will have the opportunity to sign Jennings to a one-year deal following the 2026 NFL Draft, allowing him to boost his value and potentially earn a bigger contract next offseason.

The takeaway

Signing Jauan Jennings would be a savvy move for the Rams, as it would not only strengthen their own receiving corps, but also weaken a key division rival in the 49ers. Jennings' proven production and character make him an attractive target, and a one-year deal could be the perfect opportunity for both player and team.