As the NFL calendar inches closer to the start of the new league year, trade chatter is heating up - and with it, some eyebrow-raising proposals. One of the more notable ideas floating around right now comes from Bill Barnwell, who’s outlined 11 trades that he believes would make sense for both sides.
Among them? A deal between the Minnesota Vikings and the San Francisco 49ers that would bring quarterback Mac Jones to Minnesota.
Here’s the proposed trade: the Vikings send a 2026 second-round pick, a conditional 2027 fifth-rounder, and a conditional 2028 third-rounder to San Francisco in exchange for Mac Jones and a 2027 third-round pick.
Let’s call it what it is - that’s a hefty price tag for a quarterback who, at this stage in his career, is more of a question mark than a solution.
Barnwell’s logic leans on Jones’ brief stint in San Francisco, where he posted a 62.3 Total QBR - a solid number, though still trailing Brock Purdy’s 73.0 mark. He also points out that Jones is on an affordable deal, owed just $4.7 million in 2026, the final year of his rookie contract.
There’s also the connection to the Kyle Shanahan quarterback pipeline, which has produced some intriguing reclamation projects in recent years. The Vikings, of course, dipped into that well last offseason by bringing in Sam Darnold after his lone season in the Bay Area.
But here’s the thing: Mac Jones isn’t Sam Darnold. Not physically, not stylistically, and not in terms of upside.
Darnold has always had the arm talent and athleticism that made teams willing to take a second (and third) look. With Jones, the tools have always been more limited. He was a system quarterback at Alabama, and while he had a promising rookie year in New England, the last couple of seasons have exposed some of the limitations in his game - particularly when things break down around him.
If you’re Minnesota, and you're giving up a second-round pick plus two conditional selections over the next two years, you want more than a placeholder. You want a quarterback who can elevate your offense, not just manage it.
The Vikings are already in a delicate spot at quarterback. J.J.
McCarthy, the young signal-caller they’ve been developing, has shown flashes - when healthy. That’s a big caveat, sure, but there’s at least some upside there.
With Jones, the ceiling feels lower. He might be steady enough to keep you competitive, but is he the guy who’s going to push you into serious playoff contention?
That’s a tough sell.
And if we’re talking about potential QB trades, Barnwell also floated another one involving Kyler Murray - the Jets sending a 2026 fourth-round pick to Arizona for Murray and a 2026 sixth-rounder. That’s a far more intriguing option.
Yes, Murray’s contract is a different animal financially, but the talent gap between him and Jones is significant. Murray brings mobility, playmaking ability, and a higher ceiling - all things the Vikings could use if they’re serious about making a leap.
Bottom line: if Minnesota is going to part with premium draft capital, it has to be for a quarterback who can truly change the trajectory of the franchise. Mac Jones doesn’t check that box.
Not right now. Maybe not ever.