There have been rumors for months that the San Francisco 49ers were going to trade backup quarterback Mac Jones at some point this offseason. But with just over three weeks to go before the NFL draft, all indications seem to point to them keeping Jones on their roster for the 2026 season.
Some thought that perhaps the 49ers could be persuaded to part with the former first-round draft pick if they were offered a strong return for him — perhaps a first-round or second-round pick. There is an argument to make that they should hold on to him, especially given some of the injuries starting quarterback Brock Purdy has dealt with in his brief career. On the other hand, trading Jones for the right return could help San Francisco replenish its aging core.
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report outlined six “unlikely but realistically possible draft-day surprises” in a recent article, and one of them is the Niners shipping Jones off for a first-round pick.
“The 27-year-old was a rookie Pro Bowler in 2021 and was fantastic as an eight-game starter for the 49ers this past season,” Knox wrote.
“Jones went 5-3 as a starter in 2025, finishing with 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns, six interceptions, and a 97.4 quarterback rating. He’s had his struggles in the NFL, too, but Jones feels like a “safer” option than any quarterback in this class not named Mendoza.
“The recent resurgence of former ‘busts’ like Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, and Daniel Jones only adds to the allure of a quarterback like Jones.
“However, the 49ers won’t be willing to let him go on the cheap. They have their long-term starter in Brock Purdy, but they’ve experienced enough injuries at the position in recent years to know the value of a dependable backup.
“That doesn’t mean that San Francisco wouldn’t be willing to trade Jones, who is entering the final year of a two-year contract. However, it would take a substantial offer to land him.
“The 49ers might listen to a first-round offer during the draft, and there’s a non-zero chance that a quarterback-needy team might make it.”
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Knox added that a team such as the Pittsburgh Steelers or Arizona Cardinals may end up calling the Niners and putting in an offer for Jones. Aaron Rodgers, who is 42 years of age, hasn’t decided whether he wants to continue his NFL career, which means the Steelers don’t know what their QB situation will look like come September. Meanwhile, the Cardinals released signal-caller Kyler Murray, who is now a member of the Minnesota Vikings.
After a solid rookie season during which he made the Pro Bowl, Jones’ stock declined dramatically. But in 2025, he greatly rehabbed his value by filling in ably when Purdy was forced to miss eight games with a toe injury. Jones’ fine play allowed the Niners to keep pace and finish 12-5 before they upset the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in the wild-card round of the playoffs.
Jones played so well that there was a brief quarterback controversy in the Bay. But once Purdy returned, it quickly became clear that he belonged as the team’s QB1.
Quarterback depth is essential in a league where every team is one injury away from being stranded without a competent signal-caller. If San Francisco deals Jones, it will have to be confident that it has a satisfactory backup for Purdy.
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The team needs pass-rushing help on its defensive front seven, as well as more talent at the wide receiver position and added beef on its offensive line. If it is to win its sixth Super Bowl championship any time soon, it will have to make the right decisions as far as asset management, whether that means keeping or trading Jones.
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