The Tennessee Titans answered their most pressing question of the offseason by hiring Robet Saleh as their next head coach -- a move that was well received in NFL circles. Aside from hiring his assistants, which is still ongoing, the team can move to their next most important task of the offseason -- building an adequate NFL roster.
The 2025 Titans truly had one of the least talented rosters we have seen in recent history. It was so bad that they need to acquire multiple starters at premium positions. While the change from Brian Callahan to Saleh is expected to provide an upgrade in itself, no coach can complete this rebuild without an improved roster.
It will be difficult to complete the Titans' roster rebuild in one offseason, but there are still some immediate roster-building objectives that must take priority. One of them is giving Cam Ward more offensive support. If the Titans want to give him some immediate help while avoiding a risky splurge in free agency, they should take a serious look at a player who is familiar with the staff and entire Middle Tennessee area.
49ers WR Jauan Jennings is a perfect fit for Titans in free agency
While roster building in the NFL has to prioritize particular player traits and team fit above all else, it is nice when teams can bring in potential fan favorites as well. This is especially the case for a team like the Titans, who have had issues with fan interest in recent years.
If the Titans were to sign Jauan Jennings this offseason, they would decisively accomplish both objectives in one fell swoop.
Jennings grew up in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, playing quarterback at Blackman High School before advancing to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. He played his college career as a wide receiver and ultimately did enough to make the NFL, being drafted 217th overall in the 7th round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Jennings' college career was tumultuous, but since entering the NFL, he has done nothing but exceed expectations. Many 7th rounders fail to stick in the league, but Jennings has carved out a nice career for himself, enjoying some big moments with the 49ers.
Jennings emerged as a consistent 49ers starter during the 2024 season. Since then, he's totaled 1,618 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns in 30 regular season games. Even before then, Jennings made a name for himself in Super Bowl 58, catching a touchdown while also throwing an additional one, and he easily could have been named Super Bowl MVP had the 49ers won the game.
Jennings' reputation as a player is someone who is a physical receiver, tough blocker, and has a knack for making clutch plays, especially on third downs. His upside is certainly capped as he is quality third option in a wide receiver rotation, but he is super consistent, which in itself is really important.
Jennings also has had no major health issues in his career, missing a total of 10 games since the 2021 season. Titans GM Mike Borgonzi has shown a tendency to favor durable players, especially in free agency where dependability is crucial, so that is another box Jennings checks.
Jennings has been the definition of consistent while delivering positive contributions. He would undoubtedly upgrade the team's wide receiver room from where they are now.
Jauan Jennings would be an affordable stopgap option for the Tennessee Titans
Another notable discussion point around Jennings is that he recently had a contract dispute with the 49ers before the 2025 season. The Titans could make the 28-year-old Jennings a reasonable contract offer that takes his limitations into account.
Many projections have Jennings signing a contract in the three-year, $20 million per year range, which seems expensive, considering he has only had two years of over 600 receiving yards. Jennings very well might not get that much, but even if he does, it may not be as crazy as it sounds on the surface.
With how the wide receiver market has exploded nowadays, $20M per year would not be outrageous for a player of Jennings' caliber. You also have to consider that guaranteed money is what really counts in these contracts, and that is where paying him such a sum via a two-or-three-year contract might make more sense.
A good contract to reference for this discussion is Jakobi Meyers, who recently inked a three-year, $60 million contract, with $40M guaranteed. Meyers has six seasons of 600+ receiving yards compared to Jennings' two, although Jennings is almost a year younger and has two fewer seasons of mileage on him.
The guaranteed money for Jennings would be around the $30M mark. It would almost certainly give the Titans a convenient out before the third year of the contract. Given the Titans' need at wide receiver as well as the consistency Jennings he has shown throughout his career, they could afford to take the plunge for a player Saleh is familiar with.