The San Francisco 49ers’ 2025 season came to a screeching halt in the divisional round, courtesy of a lopsided road loss to the Seattle Seahawks. It was a tough ending for a team that spent much of the year battling through injuries - none more impactful than those to starting quarterback Brock Purdy.
Purdy’s availability was a rollercoaster all season long. And when he couldn’t go, it was Mac Jones - the former first-round pick and one-time starter in New England - who stepped in.
To his credit, Jones didn’t just manage games; he won them. He helped the 49ers to five victories, including a surprising road win over the Rams, and showed enough poise and command of Kyle Shanahan’s offense to turn some heads across the league.
Now, with the season in the rearview and the offseason heating up, Jones' name is starting to surface in trade conversations. According to recent reporting, 49ers brass - specifically GM John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan - didn’t sound eager to move him when asked about it.
But this time of year, public comments often come wrapped in layers of strategy. Whether that’s true reluctance or just calculated posturing remains to be seen.
What we do know is this: if a team comes knocking with the right offer, the 49ers might listen. And “right offer” in this case could mean a third-round pick - a price tag that might be too tempting to pass up, especially given Shanahan’s track record of developing quarterbacks. He’s shown time and again that he can plug in the right guy and keep the offense humming.
There are plenty of teams around the league stuck in quarterback limbo right now - franchises looking for a spark, a bridge, or maybe even a long-term answer. Jones, with his experience, pedigree, and recent tape, could be an intriguing option. He’s not the flashiest name on the market, but he’s proven he can step in and win games in a complex system - something that’s not easy to find.
Of course, moving Jones would also be a vote of confidence in Purdy’s health - and that’s no small leap. While Purdy has shown flashes of brilliance, availability has been a consistent concern. Betting the house on his durability would be a calculated risk, and one the 49ers would have to weigh carefully before parting with a capable backup like Jones.
One thing’s for sure: it’s shaping up to be an active offseason in San Francisco. Between quarterback questions, potential trade talks, and a roster that still has championship-level talent, the 49ers will be one of the more fascinating teams to watch as the NFL calendar flips to 2026.