With Brock Purdy set to return to the starting lineup for San Francisco this weekend, head coach Kyle Shanahan has made it clear that there is no quarterback controversy in the Bay Area. That’s not to say backup passer Mac Jones hasn’t proven himself to be extremely capable of competing for a starting job but more so that Purdy will get the benefit of the doubt as the incumbent starter prior to injury. 
On the contrary to any potential criticism of Jones’ performance over his eight games as QB1, the buzz around the NFL recently has focused on the new trajectory of Jones’ career as a result of his commendable stint as the starter in San Francisco. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, in a league desperate for serviceable quarterbacks, Jones has established himself as one and “emerged as a prime trade candidate for 2026.”
After watching Purdy miss two games in 2024 and watching two different backup quarterbacks lose games as injury replacements, the 49ers committed to signing a higher-quality second arm in 2025. The team landed on Jones, giving him a two-year, $7MM deal with the potential to make up to $11.5MM.
He’s already added $500K from an incentive of playing at least 25 percent of the team’s offensive snaps and winning at least four regular season games as a starter. After eight starts, he may just trigger the second incentive requiring a 50 percent snap share and a playoff berth; both are very possible but not guaranteed at this moment. The two levels of incentives exist in the second year of his contract, as well, and if Jones does get traded to a team that names him the starter, he’ll have a good shot at hitting those marks again.
While the 49ers would certainly like to keep their strong QB2 option next year, his value as a trade asset may supersede any desires of keeping him. The Dolphins, Jets, Steelers, Browns, Saints, and perhaps even the Raiders and Cardinals all stand as teams that could be looking for a new starter in 2026. For a while, it seemed that the 2026 NFL Draft would be the saving grace for these teams, rich with young quarterback talent, but lately, evaluators have lost faith in the talent level of the draft-eligible passers in school now.
As a result, San Francisco may opt to capitalize on the value Jones has created for himself. Trading Jones would be mutually beneficial for the two parties as the team would be doing right by Jones, giving him an opportunity to start in the NFL, while getting a potentially valuable return in exchange.
For now, the focus in San Francisco is making sure Purdy is healthy and up to speed enough to assist the team on a second-half playoff push while also keeping Jones game-ready in case injuries force the team’s hand once again. If Jones continues to excel at executing the tasks set before him, though, he may just put himself — and the 49ers — in a strong bargaining position.
He gets a 3 at minimum. Probably a 2 from a desperate team
If I’m the Steelers I’d trade a 3rd for Jones, especially since they should get a compensatory 3rd
If I’m the Niners, I’m hanging up unless a first (or multiple Day 2 picks) is on the table.
Given the frequency with which Purdy gets injured, the way Jones has proven himself in Shanahan’s system, combined with his very reasonable salary next year, and drop off between him and the next QB on the depth chart, Jones is way more valuable to the Niners than a 3rd or even a 2nd. I’d rather keep him. Especially considering he’ll net a good comp pick if he leaves in free agency after next season.
That is, unless some desperate team absolutely blows SF away with a Godfather offer.
Nobody’s trading a 1st or multiple day two picks for Jones
It’s a QB friendly system with a decent oline and good offensive weapons.
If anything, the pick will be a condition 4th that can turn into a 3rd, 2nd, or 1st depending on his performance and health.
Such as 4th rounder if team misses the playoffs and he plays 75% of snaps or something
3rd if they reach the playoffs
2nd if they reach the conference championship
1st if they reach the superbowl
But nobody’s trading a 1st or 2 day 3 picks and giving him an extension based on 1 year
They are in now way in hell trading him for a 4th lmao. It’s a second MINIMUM, especially cause the contract is so low. They’ll get a third as a comp anyways
Nobody is trading a 2nd for a dude who plays well in a QB friendly system lmao
They’ll take a conditional 4th that escalates based on how he performs. Thats the best they can hope for.
He’s had 1 good year and even then it’s not elite by any means. Hes 14th in RAW QB score. Middle of the pack. Certainly not worth a 2nd
He needs to play in a warm city. Browns and Steelers are cold!!
He fizzled in New England due to the cold temps.
He fizzled in New England because they had a defensive coordinator and special teams coordinator in charge of his development when McDaniels left
Michael, I’d actually think Arizona would be the best place for him. BB did the kid bad and I wish him the best.
Yeah way smarter answer IMO
Given Purdy’s injury history, I’m not sure if it’s such a good idea for the 49ers to trade Mac.
49ers due a good job getting quality out of all their backups with their plug-and-play offensive system. They should cash in and sign someone in the offseason to replace him
If I’m the saints especially this coming QB class raw and unproven I’m making phone calls to get Mac this offseason. It’s a no brainer.
Why not? The Saints’ GM has no idea what picks are worth and is incapable of managingf cap, meaning he’d ikely send SF a first (maybe two) and sign Jones to a 10 year, billion dollar contract.
Why not give more of a try to the QB they just drafted in the second round if they don’t like this class?
They can keep Shough though and compete him against Mac in camp. Mac is still cheap and put a lot of good stuff on tape this year
Why trade the guy after how he’s played while Purdy’s been out?
Jon Lynch earned GM of Year for a reason
Im still not a believer.
Kyle Shanahan is a mastermind – and Mac is just the latest.
Once he leaves SF, its pumpkin time again.
Like Sam Darnold?
Mackorkle and Sam are not the same.
I sincerely doubt that any team is going to see him that way.
I question how deep the market would have been for Purdy too.
Mac Jones needs to play in a Shanahan/McVay system. No doubt. But if he does that he can replicate his success with Shanahan.
Tell me where he goes?
I have no idea. I don’t know who will be coaching each team in 2026 or what offense they will run.
Seems like a really limited list…
He’s not being traded today. Come see me in March of 2026.
His 10 games 1 start throwing 46 passes completing 28 for 2 TDs and int? What exactly does that tell you about Darnold fitting into Shanahans system lmao?
Lynch: “Hey lets trade this Jones fellow and create a roster opening in case we have to bring back Jimmy G or Trey” 🙂
Be on the lookout for a team that runs a similar offense as the 9ers. He has done well in this system.
Dolphins?
Trading for Jones would be as dumb as paying Purdy.
It’s all Shanahan.
Mac Jones would seem to fit the Steelers or Browns offense quite well, my guess is that neither will make that trade and both will likely over draft some QB from the 2026 draft ….
To your point- Serious question – no snark:
Would you rather have Mackorkle or a rookie from this class?
I don’t like the the draft class, but I certainly don’t want to gamble on Mac.
Trace,
Mac Jones would seem to fit The Steelers?
a system that has not had much success with QB’s, run and block first system.
Short passes to TE or RB?
Often sacrifices WR play?
Often sacrifices WR depth?
For a system qb like mac?
I can’t object strenuously enough your honor.
We have a dark horse team that can pick up Jones for a pair of 3rd-day picks. J-E-T-S.
The Kyle Shanahan & Kevin O’Connell school for broken quarterbacks
The Kyle SHanahan and Kevin O’Connell school for quarterbacks who cant quarterback good, but wanna learn to do other stuff too!
Carolina should be on the phone the second the season ends
Even Baker Mayfield needed a reboot. And look at him now. But he had McVay for part of a season. Probably all it took to bring him back some belief in himself.