As the Minnesota Vikings look to regroup and retool after falling short of the postseason, one name floating around as a potential solution under center is San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones. It’s not a far-fetched idea-Jones quietly put together a solid 2025 campaign in the Bay Area, and with his contract set to run through 2027, the 49ers could entertain offers if the right one comes along.
Let’s talk about what Jones actually did in 2025. In 11 appearances (eight of them starts), he completed nearly 70 percent of his passes-69.6 to be exact-for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns, and just six interceptions.
His passer rating? A respectable 97.4.
San Francisco went 5-3 in the games he started, and while he wasn’t lighting up the scoreboard every week, he was efficient, poised, and most importantly, reliable.
That kind of performance doesn’t go unnoticed, especially for a team like Minnesota that’s in quarterback limbo heading into the offseason. On Thursday, Jones appeared on NFL Network’s The Insiders and addressed the trade buzz directly. While he didn’t name any teams, he made it clear what he’s looking for in a potential landing spot.
“You’ve gotta be in the right situation,” Jones said. “Just being in the right offense with playmakers around you.
That’s important.” He added that for any quarterback-whether they’re a free agent or a trade candidate-the goal is to find a system that fits.
“It’s good to be talked about,” he said, “and at the end of the day, I want to just keep playing good ball.”
So, could Minnesota be that “right situation” he’s talking about?
There’s a case to be made. The Vikings have already dipped into the 49ers’ quarterback room once before.
Remember, they brought in Sam Darnold in 2024 after his stint as a backup in San Francisco. That move turned out to be a smart one, giving Minnesota some stability at the position while Darnold got a chance to reboot his career in a system that suited him.
Now, they could be eyeing a similar path with Jones. Head coach Kevin O’Connell runs a quarterback-friendly offense, and the Vikings have no shortage of weapons-starting, of course, with All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson. Add in a solid offensive line and a creative play-caller, and you start to see why Minnesota might be an appealing destination for a quarterback looking for a fresh start.
The big question? What would it take to get a deal done.
Here’s where things get interesting. Because Darnold left in free agency, the Vikings are expected to receive a third-round compensatory pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
That pick could end up being the key to unlocking a trade for Jones. It’s not a blockbuster offer, but it’s enough to get the conversation started-especially if the 49ers are looking to clear the deck or make room for another quarterback on the depth chart.
For Minnesota, the decision comes down to how aggressively they want to address the quarterback position this offseason. Do they go the draft route and try to develop a rookie? Or do they take a swing on someone like Jones, who has starting experience, a proven track record of efficiency, and familiarity with a Shanahan-style offense that shares DNA with O’Connell’s system?
Mac Jones may not be the flashiest name on the market, but he’s shown he can run an offense, protect the football, and win games. For a Vikings team that’s been stuck in quarterback purgatory since the end of the Kirk Cousins era, that might be exactly what they need.
And if Jones is serious about wanting to land in the “right situation,” Minnesota just might check all the boxes.