The San Francisco 49ers are still very much in the thick of the playoff race, with a chance to lock up a postseason berth this weekend against the Indianapolis Colts. But even as they chase another deep playoff run, there’s a bigger picture looming - and it’s pointing straight at a pivotal 2026 offseason.
After taking a conservative approach last offseason, holding back on splashy moves and preserving cap space, the Niners are now positioned to be far more aggressive. With financial flexibility and draft capital in hand, San Francisco is expected to be a key player when the offseason market heats up.
And one of the most intriguing pieces in that puzzle? Backup quarterback Mac Jones.
Jones, who was thrust into the spotlight earlier this season when Brock Purdy went down with an injury, made the most of his opportunity - and then some. In eight starts, he threw for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns, and just six interceptions. That’s not just solid fill-in work - that’s starter-level production, and it’s turned heads around the league.
What really stands out is how efficient Jones was during that stretch. He posted a career-best 69.6% completion rate and averaged 7.4 yards per attempt - both personal highs.
He protected the football, moved the chains, and kept the offense humming. For a brief moment, he even stirred up a legitimate quarterback debate in the Bay Area.
But now that Purdy is healthy and entrenched as the starter, the 49ers may look to cash in on Jones’s elevated trade value.
He’s under contract for 2026 at a manageable $2.8 million, making him an attractive option for teams in need of a potential starter or high-end backup. And let’s be real - there are plenty of quarterback-needy teams out there with murky futures at the position.
Think of franchises like the Colts or Steelers, who could be eyeing a 27-year-old former first-rounder with recent success in Kyle Shanahan’s system. That’s not just a flyer - that’s a calculated move for a team looking to stabilize the most important position on the field.
And speaking of Shanahan’s system, it’s quickly becoming known as a quarterback rehab clinic. First it was Sam Darnold, who rebuilt his reputation in San Francisco.
Now it’s Jones, who’s put together arguably the most efficient stretch of his career under Shanahan’s watch. For quarterbacks looking to reset their careers, the 49ers are becoming the place to be.
That brings us to the current state of the quarterback room. On Tuesday, the Niners brought back Adrian Martinez to the practice squad, giving them four QBs on the roster: Purdy, Jones, rookie Kurtis Rourke, and Martinez. That’s a crowded room, and it might not stay that way for long.
If Jones is ultimately dealt, the 49ers could roll into 2026 with Purdy as the clear starter and Rourke and Martinez competing for the backup role. That would be the most cost-effective route - and with Purdy now on a well-earned payday, saving money at QB2 and QB3 would be a logical move. Of course, if neither Rourke nor Martinez shows enough in practice, the team could dip back into free agency for another low-cost veteran, just like they did with Jones.
But make no mistake: the 49ers’ quarterback situation is shaping up to be a major storyline this offseason. Whether they ride into 2026 with a young, affordable depth chart or flip Jones for assets and bring in another veteran, the front office has options - and leverage.
In a league where quarterback depth is gold, San Francisco has quietly built a system that not only develops talent but turns it into trade value. That’s a luxury most teams don’t have. And with Mac Jones likely drawing interest from around the league, the 49ers may be in a position to once again turn a short-term insurance policy into long-term value.