49ers Trade Proposal Swaps Jauan Jennings for Recent Raiders 2nd Rounder

Jauan Jennings wants a new contract—or a new team.

According to a July 14 report from NFL insider Adam Schefter, while the San Francisco 49ers wide receiver inked a two-year, $15.4 million contract extension in 2024, that was then and this is now — and now he’d like a new deal.

With fellow wideout Brandon Aiyuk’s return from an ACL injury still up in the air, Jennings knows he’s important for the Niners early in the season. But the 49ers just paid quarterback Brock Purdy $265 million, and Aiyuk’s deal is $120 million. They can’t afford to shell out much more to another wide receiver on top of their current contracts.

Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports named the Las Vegas Raiders a logical trade partner for Jennings amid the wideout’s current dissatisfaction.

Considering this, we put together a trade proposal that would send Jennings to Las Vegas in exchange for tight end Michael Mayer and a future draft pick.

Trade Proposal Sends WR Jauan Jennings to Las Vegas Raiders in Exchange for TE Michael Mayer

“The Raiders addressed basically every offensive skill spot with a splashy upgrade this offseason — Geno Smith at quarterback, Ashton Jeanty at running back — except receiver,” Benjamin wrote on July 14.

“Jack Bech should have an instantly sizable role opposite Jakobi Meyers and tight end Brock Bowers in the pass-catching department, but if Pete Carroll is serious about contending in 2025, well, they could use another set of sure hands. It’s not hard to envision offensive coordinator Chip Kelly finding different ways to deploy Jennings.”

San Francisco likely doesn’t want to move Jennings, but with his current desire for more money, the team may not have a choice. Here’s a trade proposal we put together that could be good for both the Raiders and 49ers:

49ers Receive: TE Michael Mayer, 2026 Raiders fourth-round pick
Las Vegas Raiders Receive: WR Jauan Jennings

Mayer, 24, was a second-round pick in 2023 out of Notre Dame, but has struggled to make a major impact behind Bowers; he caught only 48 passes for 460 yards and two TDs across two seasons.

Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported in June that the Raiders “have no interest” in trading Mayer. He had previously reported otherwise in March. But if Jennings were involved, that could change things.

More on Mayer’s Untapped Promise

Getty| Should the 49ers try to trade Jauan Jennings to the Raiders?

Mayer, selected 35th overall in 2023, entered the league highly touted. At Notre Dame, he broke the school record for most receptions by a tight end (180) and earned Consensus All-American honors in 2022.

His transition to the NFL has had some some growing pains, though. As a rookie, he had 27 catches for 304 yards and two touchdowns over 14 starts, followed by 21 catches for 156 yards in 2024. Limited targets and playing time—especially behind Bowers—has stunted Mayer’s development.

Yes, George Kittle just signed an extension, but he turns 32 in October and has a tendency to miss at least a few games every season.

Mayer’s polished route-running, contested-catch ability and stout blocking mirror Kittle’s core traits, and his ability to line up out wide, in the slot or as a blocker could make him a nice option for San Francisco.

Plus, there’s a lot Kyle Shanahan could do with a dual-threat TE like Mayer who can line up inline or flex and create mismatches.

Mayer has youth and room for refinement, and he’s still got two years left on his rookie deal. In San Francisco, he would benefit from elite QB play and TE coaching. Mentored by Kittle and coached by a system tailored to tight ends, we think Mayer could flourish.

This is all hypothetical, of course. Jennings is vying for more money after his standout 2024 season. If San Francisco doesn’t want to pay him, though, expect trade proposals to start popping up like dandelions.