Jauan Jennings chose to avoid reporters following his breakout performance against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, a decision that makes sense given the outcome. Despite an impressive outing by the receiver, the San Francisco 49ers suffered a late-game collapse, losing 27-24 at SoFi Stadium and dropping to 1-2 on the season.
Jennings turned in one of the most memorable performances by a 49ers wide receiver in recent history, finishing with 11 catches for 75 yards and three touchdowns. However, Jennings quickly left the visitor's locker room after the game before the media could speak to him.
"I just wasn't in the right headspace," Jennings explained. "Just had a hard-fought game with my brothers. We took a loss, and I just wasn't in the right headspace, didn't think I had the right answers for you all."
During the game, Jennings looked like a number one receiver, catching nearly everything thrown his way.
"It just felt like I was in the zone," Jennings said. "... You just get in the rhythm. It was like my first game ever getting targeted like that, so I'm not really too used to it. Just getting the ball and just staying locked in."
Jennings admits that games like this are rare, even going back to his college days. Only one or two similar performances came to mind. According to Pro Football Reference, Jennings surpassed 100 receiving yards only six times in college and recorded multiple touchdowns in just one of those games (174 yards, two touchdowns vs. South Carolina in 2019).
When asked if he started expecting more targets as Sunday's game progressed, Jennings responded, "I just run my routes to win. If the ball is coming, then I'm trying to catch it. ... The ball just kept finding me. It just comes from playing hard. That's what I think."
Jennings signed a two-year, $15.4 million contract this past offseason, keeping him in red and gold through the 2025 season. The 49ers hope he can deliver more explosive performances like his Week 3 game in Inglewood, even after Deebo Samuel returns from his calf strain.
Sunday's breakout has provided extra motivation for the 27-year-old wideout.
"I'm always locked in," Jennings remarked. "Honestly, I go to sleep at night thinking about this last game because I don't want to disappoint [in] the next one. I'm not saying I got to go for 175 every week, but just making the best out of every opportunity."
