49ers receiver Jauan Jennings has said he “can’t wait” to face the Seahawks on Saturday. What he hasn’t said (but should be thinking) is that he can’t wait for his next shot at free agency.
Two years ago, coming off of a strong performance in Super Bowl LVIII, Jennings became a free agent. He re-signed with San Francisco on a surprisingly light two-year, $11.89 million deal. But he had only 265 receiving yards during the 2023 regular season. In 2024, his production spiked to 975. This year, after a squabble with the team over his 2025 pay, Jennings had 643 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.
Against the Eagles in the wild-card round, Jennings threw a key touchdown pass on a trick play to running back Christian McCaffrey.
On Thursday, coach Kyle Shanahan praised Jennings, notwithstanding the reality that those words will come up again when it’s time to try to negotiate another new deal.
“A true competitor,” Shanahan said of Jennings. “Like, J.J. is one of the best competitors I’ve ever been around. And he is one of the best receivers I’ve ever been around, just in terms of how he plays down-in and down-out.
“J.J., I thought, was as important as any receiver on our 2023 team. I believed if we won [Super Bowl LVIII] he would’ve been the MVP. And I think every time we’ve gone to him, no matter what the situation’s been, he’s always come through at a high level. And J.J. had guys ahead of him with Deebo [Samuel Sr.] and [Brandon] Aiyuk for a number of years, but I thought he’s really who we went to on third down and the guy who was the most consistent for us in those ways. He’s gotten his opportunity with people not here as a number one receiver and like any guy who’s competitive, like J.J., he’s risen to that challenge and played like a number one receiver. So, ultimate respect for J.J.”
That’s very good news for Jennings, who may end up attracting far more interest when he inches toward the open market in less than two months.
Brock Purdy has started four games against the Seahawks in Seattle. He’s 4-0.
On Thursday, coach Kyle Shanahan was asked about Purdy’s ability to thrive in the loud environment at Lumen Field.
“I think the big thing is that Brock doesn’t get rattled,” Shanahan told reporters. “You can be as loud as you want, they’re still probably not going to hear you there. Especially if you’re in the gun. And then we know they’ll be that much louder this week. But I think it’s nothing really rattles Brock. He stays the same. As you guys have gotten to know Brock and all the situations, I don’t think when you guys talk to him whether he’s had a good game [or] bad game, I don’t think he ever seems much different. He’s always Brock. And you feel that on the sidelines throughout a game. You felt that last week.
“That’s what I thought was so impressive, having that interception with like eight minutes to go, we lose the lead and the way he came back and played the next drive after that is the perfect example of that’s what I mean by you can kind of see people’s character, what type of people they are on the silent tape. And a guy who can act like that on that silent tape describes exactly the type of dude he is.”
As a rookie in 2022, Purdy led the 49ers to a 21-13 win in a Week 15 game at Seattle. On Thanksgiving night in 2023, Purdy led the 49ers to a 31-13 win in Seattle. In 2024, Purdy led the 49ers to a Week 6 win at Seattle, 36-24. This year, Purdy led the 49ers to a 17-13 win at Seattle to open the season.
The biggest test for Purdy in Seattle comes on Saturday night. It won’t be easy, obviously. But Purdy knows a thing or two about performing in that venue, and emerging with a win. He’s never experienced any other outcome.
In recent days, an unusual theory has emerged to explain the rash of 49ers’ injuries. On Thursday, it became the subject of an article from Margaret Fleming of FrontOfficeSports.com.
It goes like this. The 49ers practice next to an electrical substation operated by Silicon Valley Power. The question is whether time spent in proximity to low-frequency electromagnetic fields weakens tendons and causes soft-tissue damage.
Fleming reports, citing a “bevy of medical experts,” that the science doesn’t support the connection. The bigger logical flaw seems to be that the 49ers have practiced in the same facility since 1988. They’ve won three Super Bowls, and qualified for three others, practicing there.
Should any team that has a rash of injuries resist chalking it up to bad luck and explore and any all potential explanations beyond “shit happens”? Yes. If there’s nothing to this one, however, the 49ers need to persuade some of the former players who have been giving credence to the idea that there’s a link.
Especially after Sunday’s Achilles tendon tear suffered by tight end George Kittle.
Over the past two years, the 49ers have had more than their fair share of injuries. The fact that they’re still competing for a Super Bowl berth is amazing, and a testament to the players they have and their coaches.
The Dolphins completed interviews with Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh on Thursday, the team announced.
Every team with an opening has requested to interview Minter, and Saleh is also a candidate for the Titans, Ravens and Cardinals’ jobs.
Minter became the Chargers’ defensive coordinator in 2024, following Jim Harbaugh from the University of Michigan. Minter was the defensive coordinator for two seasons in Ann Arbor.
He has also worked at Vanderbilt, Georgia State, Indiana State, Cincinnati and Notre Dame on the collegiate level, and Minter was with the Ravens from 2017-20.
Saleh is in his second stint as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator, rejoining the staff before this season. He previously served in that role from 2017-20 before becoming the Jets’ head coach.
Saleh has also spent time with the Jaguars, Seahawks and Texans.
The Dolphins also have completed interviews with Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and and former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski. They have requested Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile and Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.
Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak has drawn interest from the Cardinals, Falcons, Ravens, Raiders and Dolphins for their head coaching openings. He also interviewed with the Giants before they hired John Harbaugh.
Kubiak’s brother, Klay, now has his first request.
The Steelers have requested an interview with the 49ers offensive coordinator, Dianna Russini of TheAthletic.com reports.
Kubiak is in his fifth season with the 49ers, his first as the team’s offensive coordinator. Although Kubiak doesn’t call the plays under head coach Kyle Shanahan, he is heavily involved in the game planning.
The 49ers were seventh in total yards and 10th in scoring this season.
Klint and Klay are the sons of former Broncos and Texans head coach Gary Kubiak. Gary Kubiak won Super Bowl 50 with Denver.
The 49ers could lose defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, who is a popular head coaching candidate. He has interviewed or will interview with the Dolphins, Ravens, Titans, Cardinals and Falcons.
The Steelers also have requested Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, Rams passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula and Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver.
