Teams in need of a new quarterback this spring could attempt to go down the trade route. In that event, Mac Jones would be a coveted passer. 
Jones’ impressive showing with the 49ers in 2025 helped rebuild his value. The former first-rounder was unable to duplicate the success of his rookie year in New England, and as of last offseason it was unclear when – or if – he would receive another QB1 opportunity. That time could soon be approaching, with a strong trade market being something to watch for in Jones’ case.
As things stand, the 27-year-old is under contract with San Francisco for 2026. Jones is scheduled to carry a cap charge of only $3.07MM, while his base salary ($1.4MM) would be highly attractive to any number of suitors. Those financial factors are of course among the reasons why San Francisco’s preference would be to retain Jones as affordable Brock Purdy insurance. When trade calls are made, the team is expected to drive a hard bargain.
“It’s a tough market to read this early in the process,” a personnel member whose team is in need of a new quarterback told SportsBoom’s Jason La Canfora. “I know that [head coach] Kyle [Shanahan] 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.”
Cost-effective passers are of course a highly valuable commodity in the NFL, so it would come as no surprise if the 49ers maintained a high asking price on the Jones front. The Alabama product could be viewed as the latest quarterback to spend time with Shanahan and then thrive elsewhere, not unlike how Sam Darnold‘s career has surged over the past two years. That leads Matt Barrows of The Athletic to write (subscription required) “circumstances are aligning” for San Francisco to receive a trade offer too strong to turn down.
Purdy’s $53MM-per-year pact runs through the 2030 season. The value and upside Jones provides will be accounted for as the 49ers plan their offseason approach under center. Whether or not they set the price of a trade too high for a swap to take place will be interesting to monitor over the coming weeks.
I get he can be serviceable but I still think the ceiling is very limited with Jones.
They said this about Darnold, Baker and Goff. The guy was a FRP for a reason.
Darnold’s issue wasn’t limited ceiling, though. He’s always had more special physical abilities than Jones.
Purdy seems a bit injury prone. I would think the 49’ers would want to hold onto him.
I think Jones might realistically be more valuable to the 49ers than another team. If you’re a team that really needs a quarterback, how much are you willing to spend in draft picks (and probably a pricey extension) for a guy who’s about to turn 28, has always had limited physical gifts, who’s looked pretty bad at times, and who suddenly looked pretty good again while playing for Kyle Shanahan. He deserves a shot to start somewhere, but if his realistic upside is 20th best QB in football, who values him enough to trade enough for him to make it worth SF’s while? I don’t think a team that’s not winning anything like the Jets or Dolphins should be valuing him like a capital A Answer at quarterback, and I don’t think a team like the Vikings or Colts should be pushing that many chips in for him. Whereas for SF, he’s a very comfortable insurance policy for Purdy.
SF won’t get a return that justifies trading Jones and his value if Purdue gets injured again. Guys on a cheap deal and draft picks or a ‘player to be offered’ doubt could fill the gap for such an event.
He’s virtually unattainable.
He always had the talent. He’s got solid passing skills. He just really seemed to struggle for a few years there after his impressive rookie year.
QBs take more time than most teams seem to be willing to put in these days.
Jones needs to fire his agent if he doesn’t get traded and/or starter money from the niners. If he has chances to start and they keep him for insurance then he should sit out due to “back spasms” whenever purdy is hurt.