Mac Jones’ Trade Value Could Be Tested as QB Market Heats Up - and the Cardinals Might Complicate Things
The San Francisco 49ers haven’t made any public declarations about moving Mac Jones this offseason, but the writing on the wall suggests it’s a possibility worth watching. After stepping in for an injured Brock Purdy and helping the Niners to a 5-3 record during that stretch, Jones did more than just hold the fort - he rebuilt his stock in a league always hungry for competent quarterback play.
General manager John Lynch hasn’t tipped his hand either way, but he's also left the door slightly ajar. And with the NFL offseason approaching, Jones’ name is already starting to circulate in league circles.
According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, Jones could be a name to watch once the new league year begins. The 49ers have him under contract for 2025 at a manageable $2.8 million - a bargain for a quarterback who showed he can keep a high-powered offense on track. That kind of performance, even in a limited sample, tends to get attention from teams desperate for stability under center.
The question now becomes: what’s Jones’ market? And more importantly, how much could San Francisco realistically expect to get in return?
That’s where things get tricky - and where the Arizona Cardinals might enter the picture in a way that doesn’t help the Niners’ cause.
In the same ESPN report, Jeremy Fowler brought up Kyler Murray as another quarterback who could be on the move. While the Cardinals haven’t outright said they’re shopping Murray, there’s a growing sense around the league that Arizona may be positioning itself for a reset - one that could involve moving on from both Murray and head coach Jonathan Gannon. If that happens, the team would be free to start fresh with a new quarterback and coaching staff in 2026.
Murray’s situation is complicated. He’s still just 28 years old and not far removed from being considered a fringe top-10 quarterback.
But his contract - which includes nearly $37 million guaranteed in 2026 - is a major hurdle. That said, if a quarterback-needy team is willing to take on the financial risk, the upside is obvious.
This is a two-time Pro Bowler who threw for nearly 4,000 yards and posted a 21-to-11 touchdown-to-interception ratio just last season.
If a team is choosing between taking a swing on Murray or trading for Jones, the decision could come down to ceiling versus cost. Murray offers more proven explosiveness, but at a much higher price. Jones, on the other hand, is cheaper, younger, and may still have untapped potential - especially in the right system.
But here’s where it could impact the 49ers: if Murray hits the trade block, he could saturate a market that already doesn’t have enough starting jobs to go around. That could drive down the price for Jones, just when San Francisco might be hoping to capitalize on his resurgence.
The 49ers aren’t in a rush. With Purdy entrenched as the starter and Jones providing solid insurance, they’re in a strong position either way. But if they do decide to move him - and there’s a decent chance they will, especially if they can flip him for draft capital - the timing and competition will matter.
And right now, Arizona might be holding a card that could change the entire equation.