Mac Jones quietly put together one of the strongest campaigns of his career this past season with the San Francisco 49ers. In a system known for getting the most out of its quarterbacks, Jones became the latest to thrive under Kyle Shanahan’s guidance, following a similar path to what we saw from Sam Darnold before him. The five-year veteran stepped in for 11 games and delivered solid production: 201 completions on 289 attempts for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns, and six interceptions.
At one point, his play even sparked a legitimate conversation about whether he should be starting over Brock Purdy. That’s not a small thing, considering Purdy’s rise to prominence and strong command of the offense.
Ultimately, Jones didn’t unseat Purdy, but that doesn’t take away from the value he brought to the 49ers. He proved he can operate efficiently in a complex system, make smart decisions, and keep an offense moving-traits that could make him an intriguing option for quarterback-needy teams this offseason.
And that’s exactly where things get interesting.
Jones is still under contract with San Francisco, but his name has started to circulate in trade conversations, and one team to keep an eye on is the Minnesota Vikings. According to reporting from inside Mobile, the Vikings have Jones on their radar. While the organization still believes in JJ McCarthy, there’s concern about his injury history-a factor that could push Minnesota to explore veteran insurance or even competition at the position.
The Vikings aren’t the only team monitoring Jones, but they might be one of the better fits. McCarthy still has upside, but if Minnesota wants to hedge their bets with a proven starter who’s shown he can handle pressure and execute in a structured offense, Jones checks a lot of boxes.
Minnesota’s quarterback situation has been a hot topic in recent weeks. Back in December, there was even a hypothetical trade floated that would have sent Joe Burrow to the Vikings in a blockbuster deal. While that kind of move feels like a long shot, it underscores how open the Vikings might be to shaking things up under center.
And it’s not just Minnesota. The Colts’ Anthony Richardson has also been mentioned as a potential option for the Vikings, signaling that the team is casting a wide net in its quarterback evaluations.
Meanwhile, in San Francisco, the 49ers might be looking to use Jones as a trade chip to address a more pressing need-defense. Vic Tafur recently outlined a scenario in which moving Jones could help the Niners acquire draft capital to pursue a player like Maxx Crosby.
That would be a significant move for a team that struggled to generate consistent pressure in 2025. The pass rush wasn’t where it needed to be, and someone like Crosby would instantly raise the ceiling of that defense.
So, what does this all mean for Mac Jones? He’s in a bit of a sweet spot.
He’s shown enough to warrant interest from multiple teams, and he’s still young enough to be viewed as a long-term piece, not just a stopgap. Whether it's the Vikings or another team, there’s a good chance Jones finds himself in a new uniform by the time Week 1 rolls around.
For the 49ers, it’s about maximizing value. They’ve got a capable backup in Jones, but if they can flip him for assets that help them reload on defense, it’s a move that makes sense. And for a team like the Vikings, bringing in a quarterback with Jones’ experience and upside could be the kind of calculated risk that pays off big.