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Jones could be considered a safe option for the Steelers at QB.

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he San Francisco 49ers have a lot of questions this offseason that need to be answered. Despite finishing 12-5 and returning to the playoffs after a one year absence in 2025, the 49ers were never really a major threat, losing several key players to injury and seeing their season end with a 41-6 loss to the eventual Super Bowl champions, Seattle Seahawks, in the NFC divisional round playoffs. Now, the 49ers need to figure out what to do in order to see themselves return to Super Bowl contention.

And one of the questions that the 49ers need to answer is what to do with backup quarterback, Mac Jones. Signing a two-year deal with the team last offseason, Jones started eight games for the 49ers in relief of injured quarterback, Brock Purdy, and played very well– being a big reason why the 49ers stayed afloat and made the playoffs. Now, Jones figures to be a hot commodity for a quarterback needy team and even though he is under contract for another season, an enticing offer may make it hard for the 49ers to say no. That is why NFL executives around the league expect a high price tag for Jones if they want to try and acquire him.

Execs Expect High Price Tag

The 49ers have made it clear that they want Jones on their roster in 2026 but they have also signaled a willingness to listen to trade offers, especially given how high the quarterback demand is in the NFL. According to NFL insider, Jason La Canfora, while the 49ers want to keep Jones, the right offer may make it hard to refuse a deal if it means making the team better. But, the asking price for Jones may be more than teams are willing to give up.

“Executives from several teams looking at quarterbacks expect the 49ers to do all within reason to keep Jones as well, and believe the price it would require to obtain him in trade will be more than most teams would be willing to part with,” La Canfora said.

Going 5-3 as a starter this past season, Jones proved that he has what it takes to be a starter in the league if it’s the right situation. Completing nearly 70% of his passes for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions, Jones kept the 49ers’ offense rolling and was a big reason why the 49ers managed to stay competitive– even without several of their starters.

Would the 49ers Actually Trade Jones

Having a good backup quarterback is very important, and a team like the 49ers knows that notion all too well. But, considering Jones’ team-friendly salary and the fact that he showed that he can at least be a placeholder starter, his appeal around the league may be even higher now and if a team really wants him, they will shell out what the 49ers want.

“It’s a tough market to read this early in the process,” an executive told La Canfora. “I know that Kyle doesn’t want to lose him. I think they’ll put up a pretty good fight. You’re going to have to knock their socks off. You’d better be prepared to trade for a starter, and a top 20 starter, because that’s what Kyle is going to say he is. They’re going to hold out for a real (draft) pick.”

Dylan Grausz A lifelong sports fan, Dylan channels his passion for sports into being a journalist, where his primary goal is to provide readers with content that they love to read. A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, Dylan’s love for the Warriors, 49ers and Giants runs deep, having the ultimate dream of being a beat reporter for one of those teams. More about Dylan Grausz

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