Mac Jones’ Trade Market Heats Up — But a Wild Proposal Has Even 49ers Fans Shaking Their Heads
There’s growing belief around the league that the San Francisco 49ers could look to trade backup quarterback Mac Jones this offseason. After spending much of the past two years fighting for his NFL future, Jones delivered an unexpected resurgence in 2025 when Brock Purdy went down with injury. Stepping in under immense pressure, he guided the 49ers to a respectable 5–3 record, stabilizing the offense and reminding the league that he still has the poise and mechanical discipline of a starting-caliber quarterback.
That stretch of play alone has shifted the narrative surrounding his value. No longer viewed as a fading former first-rounder, Jones now enters the offseason as one of the most intriguing quarterback options available — and he’s under contract through 2026 at a manageable price. With both the free-agent market and the upcoming draft class offering limited stability at the position, several quarterback-needy teams are expected to make calls.
The Minnesota Vikings are among the franchises most frequently mentioned. After cycling through stopgap solutions in recent seasons, they are still searching for a long-term answer. Jones, with his experience and renewed confidence, presents a far safer option than entering another year of uncertainty. League insiders believe Minnesota will be one of the first teams to pick up the phone.
The New York Jets are another organization firmly in the mix. Their ongoing quarterback saga — marked by injuries, inconsistency, and a carousel of emergency starters — has left the team stuck in competitive limbo. Adding a steady, system-oriented quarterback like Jones could finally provide the structure they’ve lacked for years. For that reason, many believe New York will be aggressive once trade discussions begin.
However, not every proposed deal is being met with nods of approval.
According to one Fox Sports analyst, a recent hypothetical trade pitch involving the Jets was so outlandish, so wildly unrealistic, that it bordered on comedic from the 49ers’ perspective. Details of the proposal haven’t been made public, but the analyst hinted that it dramatically undervalued Jones and ignored the leverage San Francisco currently holds. With Jones’ resurgence fresh in the league’s memory — combined with the scarcity of reliable quarterbacks available — the Niners aren’t in a position where they need to accept a bargain-bin offer.
Instead, San Francisco is expected to approach negotiations from a position of strength. Head coach Kyle Shanahan has long emphasized the importance of depth at quarterback, especially given the physical nature of his offensive system. That means the 49ers won’t trade Jones unless the return is compelling. League insiders believe the front office will wait for a strong market to develop rather than jump at early, low-end proposals.
Ultimately, Jones’ future is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing storylines of the offseason. Whether he remains in San Francisco as insurance behind Purdy or lands a starting opportunity elsewhere, his career has taken a dramatic turn — one few saw coming. And as trade speculation grows louder, one thing is clear: the 49ers won’t be entertaining laughable offers. They know exactly what Jones’ value is now, and they intend to maximize it.
