San Francisco 49ers QB Mac Jones
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San Francisco 49ers QB Mac Jones has been a hot commodity on the trade market
The San Francisco 49ers are in an enviable position heading into the 2026 NFL draft.
The team has the luxury of two starting-caliber quarterbacks on its roster in Brock Purdy and Mac Jones.
Having signed a $265 million contract last offseason, Purdy is the unquestioned starter. But Jones reminded everyone last season why he was a first-round pick coming out of Alabama back in 2021 with his play while filling in for Purdy for half the season.
Joens completed 69.6% of his passes for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions while going 5-3 as the starter. His mini career revival has some believing the 49ers can capitalize on his soaring trade value if the team were to trade him before the 2026 NFL draft.
49ers-Jets May Revisit Potential Mac Jones Trade
San Francisco 49ers QB Mac Jones
GettySan Francisco 49ers QB Mac Jones
The 49ers have received several calls on Jones since the end of the season, and according to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, the New York Jets were one of them.
Though they traded for Geno Smith, the Jets are still looking for a long-term answer at QB. Jones is only 27, and trading a second- or third-round pick for him may be more enticing than using a first- or second-round pick on an unproven passer like Alabama’s Ty Simpson.
“The Jets already inquired about trading for other options,” Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski wrote. “The Philadelphia Eagles‘ Tanner McKee, San Francisco 49ers’ Mac Jones and Houston Texans’ Davis Mills were discussed. At the time, each of those organizations wanted a second-round pick in return. The Jets chose not to pull the trigger.
“Considering the amount of draft capital the Jets own — four selections among this year’s top 44 — New York can get a deal done and possibly pay less than initial asking price since the quarterback has already cooled off with most teams having their top options in place.
“… All three of the options showed significant promise in the last year or two. Each is 27 or younger as well. With all of the work the Jets have done this offseason, a quarterback room of Smith, Brady Cook and Bailey Zappe simply isn’t good enough. New York needs to do more at the game’s most important position and a viable pathway exists to provide some upside and excitement.”
49ers Have Set High Asking Price for Jones
Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch
To pry Jones away from the 49ers, it’s believed it’ll take a pretty substantial trade offer to get the team to even consider moving him.
Multiple reports indicate it’ll take a second-round pick — and maybe more — for San Francisco to part with Jones. The Athletic’s Dianna Russini recently revealed teams have been balking at paying the asking price the 49ers have demanded.
“A few teams have called the San Francisco 49ers about QB Mac Jones, but many interested around the league describe their price as ‘astronomical,’” Russini reported.
At his end-of-season press conference back in January, head coach Kyle Shanahan admitted the team will listen to any and all trade offers on Jones, but he doesn’t expect a deal to come to fruition.
“As any player on our team, including myself and John [Lynch], you always listen to people and trade offers, but we’re also not into getting rid of good players,” Shanahan told reporters. “So, I’d be very surprised if Mac wasn’t around us next year.”