The San Francisco 49ers waived their 2025 seventh-round pick, Junior Bergen, last week. The New York Jets wasted no time, scooping him up Wednesday morning, hoping to capitalize on his standout return skills.
The Niners Saw His Flash, But Wanted More
The Niners had watched Bergen for a couple of weeks of practice, and while he reportedly flashed while working with the returners, that wasn’t enough for them. San Francisco’s take on wide receiver play clearly leans into the full package: catching passes when schemed open, blocking, lining up correctly, and running routes at the correct depth. They were willing to move on from their 23-year-old 7th-rounder even before their first preseason game, knowing they weren’t playing their starting wideouts. That tells you everything about how they felt, confirming Bergen was a real long shot to make the roster.
A Return Specialist Gets A Second Chance
Bergen’s undisputed calling card coming into the NFL was his incredible return ability. He absolutely torched college defenses, racking up eight punt returns for touchdowns from 2022-24 while playing at Montana. The Jets are clearly looking to tap into that specific talent, picking him up to replace an undrafted free agent who was listed at 5’7″, 175 pounds. Now, Bergen has to fight for a spot, needing to beat out guys like Jordan Watkins, Jacob Cowing, and Will Pauling. Watkins and Cowing, in particular, apparently “bring something to the table” already.
Will Bergen make the final cut with the Jets? Or is this just a short stint for New York? His electric return skills offer the Jets something unique to look forward to, and he’ll need to prove it’s more than just a camp body situation.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Niners Nation.
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