Jauan Jennings has bold suggestion for 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan

The San Francisco 49ers came agonizingly close to Super Bowl glory last season. Wide receiver Jauan Jennings might have earned numerous MVP votes had the 49ers claimed victory. Not only did he catch a touchdown pass in the title game against the Kansas City Chiefs, but he also threw a touchdown pass to running back Christian McCaffrey.

In a conversation with Vern Glenn of CBS News Bay Area, Jennings reflected on the impact of losing the game (h/t Zach Ragan of A to Z Sports).

"It definitely hurts, but it's also motivation," Jennings said. "You gotta use the fuel to add to the fire. This is the time. No better time than now."

Jennings was thrilled to learn that his former college teammate, Josh Dobbs, was joining the 49ers. While at Tennessee, the two famously connected on a game-winning Hail Mary against Georgia in 2016.


Jennings is reminded of that iconic play whenever he sees Dobbs around the facility. He isn't afraid to suggest bold moves on offense and has an idea he'd love to pitch to head coach Kyle Shanahan.

"I actually told Dobbs, I said, 'We need to tell Kyle, first play of the game, let's throw the Hail Mary. ... First play of the game, let's do it,'" Jennings said.

While Dobbs is having a solid preseason and may even be the frontrunner for the QB2 job, it's clear that Brock Purdy will be the quarterback throwing most of the passes this season. The suggestion may inspire a surprising opening play from Purdy to Jennings, paying homage to the Dobbs-to-Jennings connection at Tennessee.

Jennings has high expectations for the 49ers this season and is eager for another shot at that Super Bowl MVP honor.

"We're loaded, yes," Jennings declared with his trademark big smile. "Since I got here, we got just hot names and big names everywhere. It makes me want to play better, seeing those guys do what they do and then those guys respecting what I do. We just get closer every year."