One of the quieter developments around the 49ers this season is starting to point in a very specific direction: Mac Jones may be staying put.
Back when the 2026 season conversation first opened, a Jones trade felt like a real possibility. Injuries at quarterback have cropped up around the league, and San Francisco had a name that could draw interest. But the noise has faded, and the market does not seem to be moving the way some expected.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said in his weekly buzz column that the 49ers are not about to dump Jones for less than they believe he is worth. Even with Jones set to become a free agent after the season, Fowler wrote that San Francisco would need meaningful draft compensation to even consider moving him.
“It would take real draft capital -- perhaps a Day 2 pick -- to get in the door on Jones,” wrote Fowler. “Brock Purdy is playing at an MVP level, but he also sat out seven games last season, with Jones filling in admirably. San Francisco could be there at the end if its aging roster holds up, so it makes little sense to deal Jones right now.”
That last part gets to the heart of it. If the 49ers believe they’re in the middle of a real run at a Super Bowl, a steady backup is worth more to them than a future pick. And if the asking price is high, that naturally pushes some teams away.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox has also cooled on the idea of a deal happening. He moved Jones down on his trade block big board, pointing out that some of the teams most often mentioned as possible fits have already gone in other directions. Knox also noted that the league’s quarterback injuries may be making San Francisco even less willing to part with Jones.
“For one, the Giants, Bears, and Commanders all appear to be in better shape at quarterback than they were a week ago,” wrote Knox. “Secondly, the 49ers have to be looking at all the quarterback injuries and thinking that keeping Jones is more important than ever.”
The Giants traded for J.J. McCarthy, a move that costs less in trade assets and gives them more team control.
The Bears have both Case Keenum and Tyson Bagent available as backup options. The Commanders, meanwhile, have Marcus Mariota, a trusted backup.
Tampa Bay could still be a team to watch, but the Buccaneers are 0-3 and are expected to lose with their rookie UDFA starting at quarterback this week, which makes their case for making a move for Jones a weak one.
For now, the trend line is clear. The longer this goes, the less likely it looks that the 49ers will move Mac Jones.
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