The Baltimore Ravens’ quarterback situation collapsed in a hurry Sunday, and that’s exactly why the San Francisco 49ers may soon hear from them about Mac Jones.
Baltimore left Buffalo with a 36-10 loss, its third straight defeat, and the record slipped to 4-4. More damaging than the result was what happened to the quarterbacks.
Lamar Jackson, back after missing three games with a high ankle sprain, took a hit on the Ravens’ first offensive snap and dislocated his right thumb when he struck Greg Rousseau’s wrist. Jackson is headed for surgery and injured reserve, and when head coach Jesse Minter was asked whether the injury could end his season, he answered, “potentially.”
The bad news didn’t stop there. Tyler Huntley, who had been handling the offense during Jackson’s ankle absence, left with what’s believed to be turf toe.
That forced undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano into the game, and he finished the blowout while dealing with an injured foot of his own. With a Thursday night home date against Jacksonville coming fast, Baltimore suddenly has very little time to sort out its next move.
That’s where Jones enters the picture.
San Francisco’s backup has made a strong case as the league’s top QB2 this season. Filling in for an injured Brock Purdy, Jones went 5-3 in eight starts and completed 69.6% of his passes for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns, and six interceptions in 11 appearances. He also set career highs in completion rate, yards per attempt, and passer rating while running Kyle Shanahan’s offense with a steadiness that never really showed up in his New England years.
For Baltimore, that kind of stability would matter. Jones would give the Ravens a quarterback who can actually keep the offense moving while Jackson recovers, and his contract makes him an appealing option. He’s on a 2026 base salary of roughly $3.55 million in the final year of his deal, so he wouldn’t create a major cap problem.
The issue is that the 49ers have not been eager to let him go. They reportedly wanted a first-round pick for Jones this spring, and rival teams described that price as “astronomical.” Shanahan has also made it clear the organization is not in the business of giving away good players, and with Purdy’s injury history still fresh, Jones remains a valuable insurance policy for San Francisco.
In Other News...
49ers May Be Leaving Brock Purdy Too Much To Overcome
Brock Purdys season had put him in the thick of the MVP conversation for a reason. He had been playing at a high level for San Francisco, and even after the 49ers traded for defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, the focus around the roster has stayed on whether the team has done enough to keep its quarterback in position to sustain that kind of production.
A rough outing against the Falcons only sharpened that question, because the 49ers have not made additional major moves to upgrade the receiving group around him. The concern now is less about whether Purdy can bounce back and more about whether San Francisco has given him enough help to keep matching the standard he set earlier in the season. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Could Cash In As Mac Jones Draws Contender Interest
Mac Jones has suddenly become a name to watch on the quarterback market, and the ripple effect could matter in San Francisco. With several contenders dealing with uncertainty under center, the 49ers could find themselves in a position to benefit if interest in Jones turns into real trade calls, especially from teams looking for a stabilizing option rather than a long-term fix.
The Minnesota Vikings, Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles are all being mentioned as clubs that could explore quarterback help, each for different reasons tied to their current roster situations and injuries. Minnesota has leaned on a strong defense while its offense has sputtered, Baltimore has had to navigate injuries at quarterback, and Philadelphias depth chart has been shaken enough to make the position a priority again. If that market develops further, Jones could become one of the more intriguing names to monitor, and the 49ers would be watching closely to see how far the bidding goes. [Read more 🡒]
Fred Warner Is Giving The 49ers A New Defensive Identity
Through seven weeks, Fred Warner has been the steady center of a 49ers defense that has had to keep adjusting around injuries and roster turnover. Even with the changes, San Francisco has stayed among the leagues better units, sitting seventh in points allowed and fourth in yards allowed, and Warners all-around impact has been a big reason why the group has held its edge.
He has been the teams tackling leader and has also created takeaways at a pace that gives the defense a different kind of bite. The numbers only tell part of it, though, because Warners presence has helped shape how the 49ers are playing on that side of the ball now, and the bigger question is how far this version of the defense can carry them as the season moves deeper into the stretch. [Read more 🡒]