The San Francisco 49ers find themselves in a favorable - and increasingly rare - position heading into the offseason: they’ve got not one, but two quarterbacks on the roster who could start in this league. In a landscape where demand for competent signal-callers consistently outpaces supply, that's a luxury most teams would kill for.
Brock Purdy remains entrenched as the starter, but it’s the presence of Mac Jones that’s turning heads. And according to recent reports, the Niners aren’t in a rush to part ways with him.
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, general manager John Lynch isn’t actively shopping Jones despite having several roster holes to address elsewhere. If a trade does materialize, it won’t come cheap - and it shouldn’t. Jones has rebuilt his value in a big way, and the 49ers are in no hurry to give that away for pennies on the dollar.
But how did San Francisco wind up in this enviable position? You can trace it back to a lesson learned from a familiar face: Sam Darnold.
Darnold’s Impact: A Cautionary Tale Turned Blueprint
Darnold’s 2023 stint with the 49ers didn’t make headlines at the time. He was firmly behind Purdy on the depth chart and saw limited action.
But what happened next turned heads across the league. After leaving San Francisco in free agency, Darnold signed with the Minnesota Vikings, where he thrived in 2024.
That success carried over into a championship run with the Seattle Seahawks, where he played a critical role in their Super Bowl-winning season.
Darnold has since credited his time in the Bay Area - under Kyle Shanahan’s guidance - as a turning point in his career. And that’s not just lip service.
Shanahan has built a reputation for elevating quarterbacks, particularly those who’ve struggled elsewhere. Darnold’s resurgence only strengthened that narrative.
But here’s the kicker: Darnold was on a one-year deal with San Francisco. That meant when he blossomed, the 49ers had no long-term control or trade leverage. He walked in free agency, and the team got nothing in return.
Enter Mac Jones - Same Story, Smarter Contract
Fast forward to last offseason. The 49ers signed Mac Jones, another former first-rounder looking to revive his career.
But this time, they didn’t make the same mistake. Jones came in on a two-year deal - and that’s proving to be a savvy move.
When Purdy went down with a turf toe injury, Jones stepped in and did more than just hold the line. He went 5-3 as a starter and completed nearly 70% of his passes - a clear sign of growth and poise in Shanahan’s system. Like Darnold before him, Jones is showing he can thrive when put in the right environment with the right coaching.
The difference? This time, the 49ers hold the cards.
A Valuable Asset - Whether He Stays or Goes
A quarterback reclamation project on a two-year deal is a very different asset than a one-year rental. If Jones continues to develop, the Niners have options. They can keep him as one of the best insurance policies in the league - a reliable No. 2 behind Purdy - or they can flip him for real value.
In a league where quarterback depth is gold, Jones’ resurgence under Shanahan has made him a legitimate trade chip. And unlike with Darnold, San Francisco has the contractual leverage to make a move if the right offer comes along.
This isn’t just about Jones or Darnold. It’s about a broader organizational shift - one that recognizes the value of quarterback development under Shanahan and the importance of having control over that value.
The 49ers learned from the Darnold experience. They applied that lesson to Jones.
And now, they’re in position to benefit from it.
Whether Jones stays in red and gold or ends up elsewhere, one thing is clear: the 49ers are playing the quarterback game smarter than most.