The 49ers have a decision to make at the trade deadline, and Mac Jones is part of the conversation.
San Francisco is expected to draw plenty of attention as the deadline approaches, with the biggest focus likely centered on who it can add. But there’s another angle here: moving Jones could help the 49ers in more than one way. A deal involving the quarterback could bring back help for the defense or the wide receiver room, and the return could even be flipped into another move.
That said, the idea of Jones being dealt has not gained much traction. Reports have continued to suggest it’s unlikely, largely because Kyle Shanahan values him and wants a quarterback he can trust if Brock Purdy gets hurt.
Still, The Athletic floated Jones again as a possible name to watch, and this time the Minnesota Vikings were the team tied to him.
“This one is a stretch, but bear with me. Despite Kyler Murray being close to a breakthrough - he’s still in the early stages of Kevin O’Connell’s offense - what if he has another unproductive game in Week 8 and the Vikings brass gets nervous? Murray is on a one-year deal, and they didn’t invest much to get him.
“Jones is another former first-round pick who already has a year of Shanahan rehabbing under his belt and has shown he could play at a relatively high level in the right environment,” Ted Nguyen wrote.
Minnesota has been one of the NFL’s better teams this season, and its defense has done a lot of the heavy lifting. The offense, though, has been sluggish for much of the year.
At the same time, Murray has dealt with injuries and is still working through the rest of the offense. That process takes time, and it could leave the Vikings wanting to keep giving him more chances.
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Ravens Just Changed The Pressure Around A Possible Mac Jones Trade
The market around Mac Jones has been a talking point for the 49ers, but any move would have to bring back a meaningful return for San Francisco to even consider it. With the quarterback picture still unsettled, the idea of a deal has lingered more as a possibility than a plan, and the 49ers are operating with a short window to sort out what comes next.
Baltimores latest direction only adds another layer to the conversation, because the Ravens are now looking elsewhere to address their quarterback need. That takes one potential landing spot off the board and makes a Jones trade look even less likely unless the situation changes in a major way, leaving San Francisco to weigh its options with the clock ticking. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Face A Costly Trade Temptation They May Need To Resist
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The appeal is obvious for a team trying to stay aggressive, yet the risk is just as clear. Thomas would require a much bigger investment than a late-round flier, while Macks market no longer looks like the sort of deal that should cost premium draft capital. For a front office that has to balance urgency with long-term roster health, this is the kind of temptation that can drain value fast if the 49ers decide the wrong player is worth the wrong pick. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Could Catch Raiders Secondary At A Very Good Time
The 49ers may be lining up against a Raiders secondary that is already dealing with a key question heading into the week. Cornerback Darien Porter was absent from the start of Wednesdays practice after suffering a groin injury in the previous game against the Jets, leaving his status murky for the matchup with San Francisco.
Las Vegas did get some better news elsewhere on the injury front, with defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway back on the field after his own injury. Wide receiver Cody White did not practice, but the bigger issue for the Raiders is still at corner, where Porters availability could shape how much pressure the 49ers are able to put on the back end. [Read more 🡒]