‘He does the dirty work’ — New Vikings WR Jauan Jennings gets praise from multiple teammates and coaches alike
No matter where you look on the Minnesota Vikings, they are praising new wide receiver Jauan Jennings for the exact same thing.
Jauan Jennings might have been the most important free agent signing by the Minnesota Vikings this offseason.
After losing Jalen Nailor to the Las Vegas Raiders, they needed to add someone who could be a competent WR3, as Tai Felton hasn’t given us enough reason to believe that he is that guy. The addition of Jennings immediately signals to everyone that the Vikings have fixed the issue.
Jauan Jennings continues to get massive praise
It doesn’t matter who you talk to, they are all heaping praise on Jennings, and they all have the same theme: he does the dirty work, with quarterback Kyler Murray even calling him a dirtbag.
“It’s been a joy to be around, he brings a grittiness like a dirty, he does all the dirty work in a sense, where he may, it may not be highlighted on the play, or sometimes it may be highlighted because he’s a receiver in there, blocking or doing something that he normally wouldn’t be doing, but he’s doing it for the sacrifice of the team, and he just brings that dog mentality with him, he doesn’t, doesn’t matter who lines up in front of him, he’s gonna win, and he’s gonna show them, hey, I’m physical, and not just physical, but he’s gonna leave a message within that play, and let you know, hey, you come back line up in front of me, it’s gonna get worse and worse.”
Minnesota Vikings RB Aaron Jones
“He always come off as a dirt bag type of guy. I mean, dirt bag like he just gets it done, you know what I mean? It may not be pretty, but you know fourteens gonna get it done. And again, he’s being on the other side, watching it, it’s been tough. I think the last one played against him, he got into a fight, he got kicked out of the game, but that’s the type of energy he brings to the team. Energy brings to the game. Obviously, he loves it. He’s passionate,. I’m just, again, I’m glad he’s on my side now. So, I know what he’s gonna bring every Sunday.”
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray
“As long as Jauan takes dirt bag as a compliment, I would agree, there’s a physical play style there. Not only is he six foot three and 220 pounds, but it’s shown over and over on the field. Not just in the run game, you see him blocking guys into the Gatorade coolers and all those types of things, or we’re getting in little scuffles, but there’s a physicality with the route running and an ability to use his body, use his frame to separate. And then, of course, his catch radius, where he’s been very sure handed as well. So really excited to have him here.
Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Wes Phillips
You can see that type of play all over Jennings’ tape. He plays with a nasty edge, attacking everyone with an aggressive nature. As Murray pointed out, he got ejected the last time the Arizona Cardinals played against Jennings.
If the Vikings can continue getting this kind of play out of Jennings, it would do wonders for them in 2026, as they haven’t had a wide receiver with that kind of ability since head coach Kevin O’Connell took over.