Vikings sign free agent receiver Jauan Jennings in deal that could be worth $13 million

Ben Goessling, The Minnesota Star Tribune on May 7, 2026

Published in Football

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MINNEAPOLIS — The Vikings added the veteran receiver they sought on Thursday night, May 7, agreeing to terms with free agent Jauan Jennings.

Jennings, who will sign a one-year deal with the team reportedly worth up to $13 million, visited the Vikings last Wednesday as he started to meet with teams after the league’s deadline for free agents to count against the compensatory pick formula had passed.

After catching 55 passes for 643 yards and a career-high nine touchdowns last year with the 49ers, he failed to reach the long-term deal he sought from San Francisco, and he prepared to leave in free agency this year.

He will give the Vikings a resourceful receiver and gritty run blocker, while providing another option after the team lost Jalen Nailor to the Raiders in free agency this offseason.

The 28-year-old Jennings will get another chance at free agency next year, when the Vikings are also faced with a decision on Jordan Addison’s future as the 2023 first-round pick enters a contract year. For 2026, though, they will have three experienced receivers to go with tight end T.J. Hockenson, as they hope 2025 third-round pick Tai Felton develops at receiver.

The Vikings will get their first look at their new receiving group when organized team activities start later this month. Coach Kevin O’Connell typically reserves plenty of space in OTAs for on-field teaching, so the practices likely won’t provide any firm indications about the Vikings’ quarterback direction for 2026, but free agent pickup Kyler Murray will get some time to work with Justin Jefferson, Addison, Jennings and Hockenson as the Vikings start to develop their reworked offense.

The 6-foot-3, 212-pound Jennings was a seventh-round pick by the Niners in 2020 out of Tennessee. In 75 NFL games, all with San Francisco, he has 210 receptions for 2,581 yards and 22 touchdowns.