Mac Jones
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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 07: Mac Jones #10 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on during the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks during the game at Lumen Field on September 07, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
The San Francisco 49ers have an excellent problem on their hands. Last offseason, they signed QB Mac Jones to a two-year, $7 million contract to be their backup quarterback. Brock Purdy was (and is) the entrenched starter, but since the 49ers had issues as the backup spot in previous seasons, they wanted to ensure they got a high-floor player who could come in and win them some games in a pinch. Jones fit the bill for that role.
And that’s exactly what he did. Purdy had a toe injury that forced him to miss a handful of games, and Jones was able to come in and pick up the slack. San Francisco’s season ended after a wild card berth and a road playoff win in Philadelphia, but the only reason the 49ers were in that position in the first place is because Jones kept their season afloat as injuries piled up.
Now, however, Jones and his contract carry considerable value to the 49ers. With Purdy still the unquestioned starter — despite fan speculation that it might be a quarterback competition — teams in need of a starting quarterback have been poking around the trade market for Jones. So far, the 49ers have insisted they’re keeping him on the roster in 2026, but that could change.
The One Big Reason Why the San Francisco 49ers May Be Forced to Trade Mac Jones
Mac Jones
GettySANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 09: Mac Jones #10 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi’s Stadium on November 09, 2025 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
On Friday, Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon wrote an article detailing the biggest question facing each team entering draft month. Here’s what he had to say on the 49ers:
“[San Francisco] has insisted pretty emphatically that it will not trade its intriguing backup quarterback after a strong season spelling starter Brock Purdy, but everyone has a price,” Gagnon wrote. “If somebody becomes desperate for a signal-caller later this offseason, they could make the 49ers an offer they can’t refuse. A draft-night deal can’t be ruled out, either, for a team that has just two picks in the top 125.”
That draft pick concern is real. The 49ers pick in the first round at No. 27 overall, and they have their second-round pick at No. 58. After that, they don’t pick again until No. 127 in the fourth round, and they have just six total picks in the draft — four of which fall in the fourth round.
What Could 49ers QB Mac Jones Offer Other Teams?
Jones is both a capable starter and a high-end backup. In San Francisco, he fills the latter role. For other teams, he could be the answer under center they have desperately been looking for. Of course, without ample incentive, why would the 49ers trade him? Quality backup quarterbacks are difficult to find in this league, and San Francisco has one of the best.
In 11 games in 2025, Jones threw for 2,151 yards and 13 touchdowns to six interceptions while completing 69.6 percent of his passes.