The trade deadline came and went, and Mac Jones is still in San Francisco.
That was the outcome after the Minnesota Vikings, in need of a quarterback, were linked to the 49ers backup in the hours before Tuesday’s deadline. Dianna Russini of BetUS reported that the 6-2 Vikings had “checked in on” Jones, but the asking price was “too high right now” for a deal. Minnesota later landed Kirk Cousins from the Las Vegas Raiders instead.
On Wednesday, Kyle Shanahan confirmed that Jones had drawn interest from more than one team.
“I know teams called on him these last 48 hours,” Shanahan said of Jones, per Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area. “And I’m very glad he’s still here.”
Jones has been part of trade chatter on and off throughout 2026, but the 49ers have made their stance clear for months: moving him would require “real draft capital.” With Brock Purdy locked in as the starter and San Francisco sitting at 7-1, the team had little reason to part with a backup it clearly values.
Jones, for his part, didn’t sound like a player pushing for an exit.
“No, no, no,” Jones told Maiocco about possibly asking for a trade. “I like it here.
To be honest, I’m treating it like I just got traded here today. So I’m going to continue to prove that I can play and be here when I’m needed.
There’s always speculation at the trade deadline, and to be talked about is good. But, obviously, it’s over, and I’m really happy to be here.
It would be one thing if I were on a team I didn’t want to be on.”
Last season, Jones went 5-3 while Purdy missed time with a toe injury, and that stretch only added to the idea that he could be viewed as a starter somewhere else. But no move ever came together, even after the offseason buzz around his future picked up.
“The whole offseason, that’s all you hear about,” Jones said about the trade rumors. “And you know, if one guy gets hurt, I’m one of the first names that comes up.
That’s great. But also, I like the situation I’m in.
I’m not taking anything for granted, and I know that at some point this year, if I’m needed, I’ll be ready, and I’m going to go sling it.”
Jones is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the season, and there’s a good chance at least one team will see him as either a “bridge” starter or a longer-term answer at quarterback.
For now, though, he’s staying put and getting ready for Sunday’s trip to face the 4-5 Dallas Cowboys.
“I’m just grateful for that and knowing that my time will come when God wants it to happen,” Jones added. “And right now I’m in that waiting-slash-preparing phase and supporting phase with Brock.
I’m going to do whatever I can to help him get ready. I just really want to keep winning and not be a distraction.
I’m glad that the trade deadline is over.”
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