Could Mac Jones Be on the Move Again? Jets Among Teams to Watch This Offseason
Mac Jones may be on the verge of another NFL relocation, and this time, the AFC East could be calling his name once again.
After signing a two-year, $8.4 million deal with the San Francisco 49ers last offseason, Jones spent the year backing up Brock Purdy, who has firmly entrenched himself as the Niners’ starting quarterback. But Jones didn’t just collect a paycheck and hold a clipboard-he saw action in 11 games, starting eight, and threw for 2,151 yards and 13 touchdowns. That’s not nothing, especially for a guy operating in a system that doesn’t revolve around him.
Now, with Purdy clearly the guy in San Francisco and Jones’ contract still manageable, there’s a growing sense that the 49ers could look to move him while his value is still high. And one team that might come calling? The New York Jets.
The Jets are in a tricky spot. They’ve got a roster that’s built to win now, but quarterback remains the biggest question mark. Aaron Rodgers’ return from injury is still a storyline, but with the pressure mounting and the coaching staff under the microscope-particularly defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn-New York may be looking to shore up the QB room with a reliable backup or even a potential bridge starter.
Mac Jones isn’t the only name being floated. The Jets have also been linked to other potential trade targets, including Jameis Winston (currently with the Giants), Anthony Richardson (Colts), and Kyler Murray (Cardinals).
Of those, Murray is the most high-profile, but he’s also coming off a foot injury and played just five games this past season. Whether Arizona is truly ready to move on from him remains to be seen.
Still, Jones presents a compelling case. He’s a former first-round pick with starting experience, a playoff appearance under his belt, and a skill set that, while not flashy, is built around smart decision-making and quick reads-traits that could fit well in a Jets offense that needs stability more than splash plays.
The Jets’ interest would also make sense from a familiarity standpoint. Jones has already played in the AFC East, spending his first three seasons with the Patriots.
He knows the defenses, the weather, the pressure. And if nothing else, he offers a safety net behind Rodgers that’s more proven than what the Jets had this past year.
Whether or not a deal materializes, the fact that Jones is even in the conversation tells you where things stand in San Francisco. Brock Purdy is the present and future there, and Jones-still just 25 years old-may be more valuable to another team in need of a reset or a reliable Plan B.
The quarterback carousel is just getting started this offseason, and Mac Jones is quietly becoming one of the more intriguing names to watch.