Coming out of the first week of free agency, the San Francisco 49ers have set themselves up nicely with a few nice additions. Osa Odighizuwa and Mike Evans are great pickups for the 49ers.
But, they're still far from done adding to the roster. They could use more help at wide receiver, and also a new pass rusher to pair with Nick Bosa. The 49ers have some cap space, but they can also acquire some strong draft capital if they make one move.
As Moe Moton of Bleacher Report proposed, the 49ers could ship off backup quarterback Mac Jones to the Pittsburgh Steelers for an early-round pick to capitalize on the high value for the 27-year-old quarterback.
49ers trade proposal sends Mac Jones to Steelers
"Although the 49ers should aim high for a return on a former first-rounder who's a capable starter in his prime, they may want to capitalize on Jones' market while he has some buzz, even if proposals don't include a Day 1 draft pick," Moton writes.
While the 49ers might not have a desire to trade away Jones this offseason, as noted by their reported lofty asking price, Jones is a player they should trade away.
Moton is proposing a deal with the Steelers, and he believes the 49ers can "ask for an early-round draft pick" in exchange for Jones in 2026.
It might be a rental for the Steelers, but this is the exact kind of move these teams should consider. This fit has been mentioned so many times this offseason already, and until a Jones or Aaron Rodgers decision is finalized, this link will continue to happen.
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But would the Steelers part with an early-round pick for Jones? A first-rounder is likely not going to happen, but it's not out of the question that the 49ers could bring in a second-rounder, especially if Rodgers doesn't come back.
Jones was very productive last year for the 49ers, throwing for 2,151 yards and 13 touchdowns in relief of Brock Purdy for a few weeks.
But, with Purdy under contract for a while, and for a lot of money, the 49ers' best option with Jones this offseason would be to trade him to a QB-needy team, like the Steelers, and recoup some value to build a contender in 2026.
The 49ers don't have a lot of time with this core left, with Trent Williams, Christian McCaffrey, and George Kittle getting older. Not to mention the massive contracts coming up for key 49ers stars.
Trading Jones to the Steelers for an early-round pick, as Moton proposed, would make too much sense for everyone involved, especially if Rodgers doesn't come back to the Steelers.
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