The 49ers are quietly setting up their next big quarterback move, and league insiders expect Mac Jones to be the one pushed to the front of the trade line this week. The timing aligns with how the league views the rising value of QB2s, especially as Brock Purdy continues to stabilize San Francisco’s offense, as evident in Week 11 against the Cardinals. Jones still carries a strong league-wide appeal, and teams know the 49ers have successfully rebuilt quarterbacks before. That sets up a market that is already drawing interest as the reported date of discussions continues to push this storyline forward.
David Lombardi shared an update on his X post that “The 49ers will likely trade Mac Jones and then add their next QB Rehab candidate to the No. 2 spot.Sam Darnold, Mac….. Shanahan and Purdy are developing a reputation for running a QB Rehab factory that gets results, so the 49ers can absolutely be expected to attract more eligible talent, while profiting with Jones even more than they did with Darnold in terms of draft capital. Debates about trading Mac = Tired. Discussion about the Shanahan/Purdy draw for QB2s with profit potential = Wired.”
The 49ers will likely trade Mac Jones and then add their next QB Rehab candidate to the No. 2 spot.
San Darnold, Mac….. Shanahan and Purdy are developing a reputation of running a QB Rehab factory that gets results, so the 49ers can absolutely be expected to attract more…
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) November 20, 2025
How the 49ers Plan to Leverage Mac Jones As the QB2 Market Grows
Mac Jones
Oct 2, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones (10) drops back to pass against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The central angle is simple. San Francisco revived Sam Darnold when he arrived on a one-year deal in March 2023. There, he signed for $4.5 million with incentives, served as QB insurance, and rebuilt his reputation behind Kyle Shanahan’s system. That rebound became real currency. By March 2025, the quarterback landed a three-year deal worth more than $100 million with Seattle. His leap confirmed that the 49ers had created a reliable QB launchpad for veterans in need of a reset.
Likewise, Mac Jones fits the same mold. He arrived after uneven years in New England, yet scouts and analysts acknowledge that he still throws with rhythm when supported by a solid structure. Meanwhile, Purdy’s return to form pushes Jones into a spot where the 49ers can profit again. Reports this week underline that Purdy is healthy and confident. In week 11, he hit over 73% of his throws, tossed three TDs, while closing in on a 133.5 mark the previous week. That kind of play means San Francisco won’t pause or second-guess.
That stability opens a clear path for Jones to draw interest from teams seeking a starter or bridge option. Minnesota has already been linked to him in recent reporting. Evaluators continue to praise his accuracy and decision-making when the offense stays on schedule. With the QB market inflating, his value tracks upward as the next viable target behind the bigger-name options.
San Francisco sees the opportunity. They flipped Darnold from a short-term fixer to a long-term asset for someone else. They expect Jones to follow the same path. Then they plan to do what this era of Shanahan football now does best. They will bring in the next quarterback who needs a reset, rebuild him behind Purdy, and let the cycle repeat, collecting more draft capital in the process.
This is how the 49ers turned QB2 into a profit center and this is why Jones is expected to be the next one out.