The Dallas Cowboys are far from the gold standard when it comes to asset management. They insist on being passive with contract extensions despite the obvious financial benefits that come with being proactive. This isn’t news.

Had they extended Micah Parsons ahead of time, they could be working on new deals for star left guard Tyler Smith, cornerback DaRon Bland and kicker Brandon Aubrey.

Despite all of the Cowboys’ contractual mishaps, you never hear a word about players requesting a trade out of Dallas. The 49ers are the gold standard in that department and they were hit with another contract ultimatum from breakout wide receiver Jauan Jennings on Monday.

“Jennings has approached the 49ers about his request, but little progress has been made, a source told ESPN,” Adam Schefter reported. “If a new deal is not reached by the time training camp starts next week, Jennings plans to request a trade to a team willing to pay him.”

Jauan Jennings setting contract ultimatum with 49ers is comedy gold for the Cowboys

Between Brandon Aiyuk, Trent Williams, George Kittle and now Jennings, the 49ers have had no shortage of high-profile players pop up in trade rumors.

Jennings got a two-year, $15.4 million extension from the 49ers last May. The $7.7 million annual average value was fair given his penchant for moving the chains in critical situations. He is also among the best run-blocking receivers in the game.

However, Jennings clearly feels his value has skyrocketed after he emerged as one of Brock Purdy’s go-to targets last season in the wake of Brandon Aiyuk’s ACL injury. Jennings doubled his previous career highs with 77 catches and 975 yards to go with a personal best six touchdowns.

The 49ers traded away Deebo Samuel this offseason and it remains unclear if Aiyuk will be ready for Week 1. Everything is shaping up for Jennings to have another high usage rate.

It is easy to see why he wants a raise, and he probably deserves one given fellow wideouts Tutu Atwell, Dyami Brown and Joshua Palmer will all make $10 million this season. Jennings is arguably the better all-around player than each of them.

The problem the 49ers have is that they gave Aiyuk $30 million per year last year and recently signed Brock Purdy, tight end George Kittle and linebacker Fred Warner to lucrative extensions. You have to wonder if they have the wiggle room to pay Jennings what he wants.

Simply put, Jennings is a winning player and Dallas will potentially slug it out with San Francisco for one of the three wild card spots in the NFC. Assuming Schefter’s timeline is accurate, the 49ers have less than a week to get this sorted or they will lose one of their most underrated players.