For the first time since 2018, the San Francisco 49ers' wide receiver group does not include former All-Pro Deebo Samuel. He was traded to the Washington Commanders for a fifth-round pick, and finding a way to replace his unique versatility is one of the biggest challenges the organization faces this summer.
Of course, the offense is still equipped to succeed despite quarterback Brock Purdy's new mammoth contract, and there are plenty of solid playmakers still around. However, the Samuel trade is already coming back to haunt the 49ers in an unexpected way.
A new report emerged on Monday that wideout Jauan Jennings wants a new contract or to be traded. Unfortunately for San Francisco, this demand can be indirectly linked back to Samuel.
After trading Deebo Samuel and with Brandon Aiyuk’s return date from a knee injury uncertain, the Niners would be very thin in a world without Jauan Jennings.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) July 14, 2025
When Jennings has gotten a chance to play extensively, he’s almost always balled out. https://t.co/xMHXwd9kjj
49ers' Deebo Samuel Trade Hurts Their Leverage With Jauan Jennings
Jennings is set to make $7.5 million on his current deal but is set to open the season as San Francisco's top receiver. Brandon Aiyuk is still recovering from his torn ACL, Samuel is gone, and guys like Ricky Pearsall are still unproven.
That makes this the perfect time for Jennings to exercise his leverage and demand a new deal. He burst onto the scene with 77 catches for 965 yards and six TDs last year, and the 49ers would be perilously thin at the position if Jennings wasn't around. Trading Samuel made sense at the time, but given Aiyuk's injury, San Francisco's front office may not have considered the position they were putting themselves in.
Particularly given how disappointing this team was in 2024, it's an interesting fork in the road for general manager John Lynch. This is an organization with Super Bowl expectations, but with an aging and progressively more expensive roster, their window may already be shut.
Losing Jennings would put a tremendous amount of pressure on Purdy, who struggled last year without his full supporting cast. The offense has to be more on Purdy's shoulders now, and that problem would only grow worse if Jennings left.
For now, it's just another example of a holdout impacting San Francisco's summer and providing a distraction. Aiyuk held out last year but eventually got his deal - we'll see if Jennings' saga turns out the same way. Either way, the Samuel trade is hurting the 49ers in ways they probably didn't see coming.