The San Francisco 49ers are sending a clear message heading into the offseason: they’re not in a rush to move Mac Jones. But as we’ve come to expect from GM John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan, they’re always keeping the door cracked open for the right opportunity.
During their end-of-season press conference, both Lynch and Shanahan emphasized a familiar theme - improving the roster in every way possible. And while they didn’t explicitly say Jones is on the trade block, they didn’t slam the door shut either. That’s worth noting, especially given Jones’ resurgence and the ever-fluid nature of quarterback depth charts in today’s NFL.
Jones, still under contract through 2026, gave the 49ers exactly what they needed when Brock Purdy went down with a turf-toe injury this past season. In his eight starts, the Niners went 5-3 - a stretch that not only kept their season afloat but also gave Jones a second wind in his career. The former first-round pick from New England looked more like the poised Alabama product he once was, rather than the player who struggled late in his Patriots tenure.
If this all sounds familiar, it should. It’s eerily similar to what happened with Sam Darnold.
Backing up Purdy in 2023, Darnold used his time in San Francisco to reset, then parlayed that into a breakout year with the Vikings in 2024. Now, Jones might be following that same blueprint - and other teams are starting to take notice.
One of those teams could be the Minnesota Vikings, again. With rookie quarterback J.J.
McCarthy having a rocky debut season, Minnesota may be in the market for a more stable option under center. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero recently joined KFAN 1003 in Minneapolis and addressed the growing speculation around a potential Jones-to-Vikings trade.
Pelissero didn’t mince words: if the 49ers are going to part with Jones, it won’t be for cheap.
“I don't know that they are taking a fourth-rounder or even a third for Mac Jones,” Pelissero said, signaling that San Francisco would likely want a second-round pick to even consider the deal.
That’s a significant price tag for a backup quarterback, but the 49ers have leverage. Jones is under contract, he’s shown he can win games in this system, and Purdy’s injury history - while not alarming - is enough to justify keeping a reliable No. 2 option in the building. Plus, any team trading for Jones would likely need to work out a contract extension, since his deal runs through 2026 but could become a sticking point if he’s expected to be a long-term starter.
So what does this all mean for San Francisco? Simply put, they’re in a good spot.
They’ve got a starting quarterback in Purdy who’s proven he can lead a contender. They’ve got a backup in Jones who’s shown he can step in and win.
And if the right offer comes along - say, a second-round pick - they have the flexibility to make a move that adds value without compromising their depth.
Whether or not a team meets that asking price remains to be seen. But as quarterback-needy franchises start to feel the pressure this offseason, don’t be surprised if the 49ers find themselves fielding calls. And if history is any indicator, Lynch and Shanahan will be ready to listen - as long as the price is right.