The quarterback carousel is already spinning, and two teams - the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings - are eyeing a possible ride with Mac Jones.
Let’s start with Pittsburgh. The Steelers enter this offseason with a glaring question mark under center.
There’s no locked-in starter on the roster, and while Aaron Rodgers is technically a free agent, his next move is anyone’s guess - retirement, another team, or a surprise return. Either way, Pittsburgh needs answers, not question marks.
Enter Mac Jones.
Jones, still just 27, comes with a manageable $3 million cap hit in 2026 - a bargain in today’s quarterback market. That kind of value doesn’t just open doors; it kicks them wide open for teams looking to stabilize the position without mortgaging the future.
And for the Steelers, Jones would walk into a quarterback room that currently features Mason Rudolph and Will Howard. Translation: the path to a starting job is wide open.
He wouldn’t be handed the job, but he’d have a real shot to win it outright in camp.
Now shift the focus to Minnesota, where the quarterback situation is a little more layered. The Vikings are expected to give J.J.
McCarthy another shot as the starter in 2026, but last season’s struggles showed he’s far from a sure thing. Whether it’s as an injury backup or a midseason pivot, Minnesota needs a veteran option who can step in and steady the ship if McCarthy falters.
That’s where Jones becomes intriguing. He’s no longer the raw rookie we saw in New England.
After a rough stretch early in his career, Jones found new life in San Francisco last season, stepping in for an injured Brock Purdy and showing he can still command an NFL offense. That resurgence didn’t go unnoticed, and quarterback-needy teams are circling.
Jones is under contract for 2026, and 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has made it clear he values having a capable backup behind Purdy.
“We're not into getting rid of good players,” Shanahan said recently. “I'd be surprised if he's not here next year.”
That’s a fair stance - Purdy’s injury history makes a strong backup essential. But there’s another side to this: Jones’ trade value might never be higher.
With the 49ers looking to get younger and build draft capital, moving Jones now could be the smart long-term play. According to projections, Jones could command a third-round pick - a notable jump from the sixth-rounder San Francisco gave up to get him from New England via Jacksonville.
For a team like the Steelers, that price tag is palatable, especially considering the potential upside. And for the Vikings, pairing Jones with head coach Kevin O’Connell could be a savvy move.
O’Connell has a track record of getting the best out of reclamation projects - just ask Sam Darnold. Combine that with a talented offensive core, and Minnesota might be the perfect landing spot for a quarterback looking to reset his career.
Other teams like the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins are also reportedly in the mix, and that tracks - both have uncertainty at quarterback heading into the offseason. But the clearest paths for Jones might still run through Pittsburgh and Minnesota.
The 49ers have a decision to make. Keep Jones as a high-end backup and insurance policy, or cash in while his stock is high. Either way, expect the phone lines in San Francisco to stay busy.
Quarterback depth is always at a premium in this league. And in 2026, Mac Jones might just be the most intriguing name on the market - not because he’s a superstar, but because he’s proven he can still play, he’s affordable, and he’s available. That’s a rare trifecta in today’s NFL.