The Denver Broncos could find that the best solution to one of their more under-the-radar questions heading into training camp – who will command the WR2 role opposite Courtland Sutton? – is a trade.
San Francisco 49ers veteran Jauan Jennings profiles as a fit. Moreover, Jennings wants either a “new contract or a trade” from the 49ers, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
This Heavy Sports Broncos trade proposal follows similar pitches to bring Jennings to Denver.
Broncos get:
- Jauan Jennings
49ers get:
- 2026 fourth-round pick
- 2027 fifth-round pick
There are mixed sentiments about whether or not Jennings will receive an extension.
“Jennings has approached the 49ers about his request, but little progress has been made, a source told ESPN. If a new deal is not reached by the time training camp starts next week, Jennings plans to request a trade to a team willing to pay him,” Schefter wrote on July 14. “The 49ers extended Jennings through 2025 last year and feel they have treated him fairly, a source said.
“In addition, coach Kyle Shanahan considers Jennings to be one of the best blocking wideouts in the league.”
The 49ers’ veterans will report for training camp for rookies on July 22. Jennings is expected to be in attendance for the start of the session, but he is not expected to be “happy,” barring a resolution, per Schefter. An aggressive trade for Jennings could make sense for the Broncos.
Jennings, who had a 77-975-6 line in 2024, is on an expiring two-year, $11.8 million contract.
Whether or not the Broncos would be open to extending Jennings after a trade is unclear, given they already have several players looking for new money in the final year of their deals.
Jauan Jennings a Good Fit for Broncos Amid Potential Trade Request
Bleacher Report’s Mitchell Milani argued Jennings’ fit with the Broncos, noting Denver has uncertain options behind Sutton. The group includes “gadget player” Marvin Mims Jr., 28-year-old second-year man Devaughn Vele, and Bo Nix’s college teammate Troy Franklin Jr.
“They have plenty of options and a plethora of different types of playmakers, but they certainly do not have a solidified No. 2,” Milani said during a live stream on July 15.
“I actually think that Jennings would be a perfect fit for Sean Payton, because he is a big-slot type of player. I think of Marques Colston, Michael Thomas. These guys weren’t exactly extremely fast, but they were very smart. They were very crafty in their routes, they were excellent against zone, and they had a large catch radius. This describes Jauan Jennings.”
The Broncos also drafted Pat Bryant in the 2025 draft, whom Milani compared to Sutton and Vele as a bigger-bodied target who lacks explosiveness.
Tight end Evan Engram, who projects as the de facto WR2, lacks physicality, per Milani.
“Jennings would be excellent in Sean Payton’s offense in the middle of the field. I think that’s what Bo Nix needs, a guy that can convert on third down, third-and-Jauan. A guy that can make a guy miss on second-and-8, and make it third-and-2.”
If the price for a trade is right, a trade for Jennings, who turned 28 in July, could make sense for the Broncos.
Broncos WR Room Questioned
Milani called Jennings a “prototype” of a “Joker”, though Engram and Broncos running backs J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey will have something to say about that being a need heading into training camp.
“To be honest, the Broncos have a pretty strong roster where there isn’t much room for improvement heading into the season,” Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder wrote on July 16, considering adding a receiver the “one move” Denver should still make. “But if the front office is looking to make one deal, adding some depth to the wide receiver room is an option.”
Payton has compared Bryant to Thomas, who played for the Broncos’ head coach with the New Orleans Saints.
However, Holder also urged the 49ers to “add a WR.”
Amid the “ultimatum” from Jennings, teammate Brandon Aiyuk is still recovering from a knee injury, and second-year man Ricky Pearsall remains largely an unknown commodity. The 49ers also traded Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders, leaving them even thinner at WR.
That could make it difficult, or at the very least more expensive, for the Broncos or any other interested team to acquire Jennings in a trade this offseason.
