The Washington Commanders have already made one deal with the San Francisco 49ers to bring in a high risk, high return wide receiver this offseason. Why not make another one?
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox laid out a trade proposal that brings the Commanders disgruntled wide receiver Jauan Jennings just months after making a deal with the 49ers for former NFL All-Pro wide receiver Deebo Samuel.
In exchange for Jennings the Commanders give up a 2027 third round pick and veteran wide receiver Noah Brown. Jennings had career highs of 77 receptions, 945 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2024,
“Even with Deebo Samuel now in Washington, though, the Commanders could have interest in Jennings,” Knox wrote on August 5. “General manager Adam Peters came from San Francisco’s front office, and Washington may have a need after Terry McLaurin officially requested a trade.”
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Jennings requested a trade on July 14. He’s due to make $7.5 million in 2025 and is in the final season of the 2-year, $11.89 million contract extension he signed in May 2024.
“Jennings has approached the 49ers about his request, but little progress has been made, a source told ESPN,” Schefter wrote. “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.”
Jennings Could Just Be Entering His Prime
Jennings, 6-foot-3 and 212 pounds, dropped to the 49ers in the seventh round (No. 217 overall) of the 2020 NFL draft after a disastrous, 4.72 second 40 yard dash time at the NFL scouting combine.
Jennings spent the 2020 season on the 49ers practice squad and served an apprenticeship behind Brandon Aiyuk, Samuel and tight end George Kittle for the next few years. Jennings had a signature moment in a Super Bowl LVIII loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, when he became just the second player in Super Bowl history to throw for a touchdown and catch a touchdown pass in the same game.
Unfortunately for Jennings, his breakout year in 2024 came as the 49ers went 6-11 and missed the playoffs for the first time in 4 years. That’s hardly the kind of year in which teams are willing to acquiesce to trade demands afterward.
Everything Hinges on McLaurin’s Trade Request
The Commanders are the only legitimate Super Bowl contenders who find themselves in stasis. That’s solely because of McLaurin’s trade request.
Despite the lip service from head coach Dan Quinn — “Somebody asked me if it’s a distraction, it’s not,” Quinn said on August 2 — we can use common sense to deduce that it’s very much a distraction.
It’s not really debatable that McLaurin’s holdout over a new contract extension is hampering the development of Washington’s franchise player in second year quarterback Jayden Daniels. On the way to winning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2024 and leading the Commanders to the NFC Championship Game, the connection between Daniels and McLaurin was the key.
Paired with Daniels, McLaurin had the best season of his career with 82 receptions for 1,096 yards and a franchise record 13 touchdown receptions and was named NFL All-Pro for the first time.
Every day that duo isn’t actively working together and improving has to be looked at a step in the wrong direction for the Commanders.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Trade Pitch Brings Commanders Disgruntled NFC West Star appeared first on Heavy Sports.