Mac Jones transformed the 49ers' season, showcasing electrifying play. Now, he emerges as a legitimate QB1 candidate, poised for a potential trade to another NFL franchise.
When Brock Purdy went down early in the 2025 season, the San Francisco 49ers were expected to survive the stretch. Instead, Mac Jones stepped in and delivered the kind of efficient and sometimes even electrifying quarterback play that has made him become one of the NFL’s most intriguing potential offseason commodities.
Through nine games, Jones has done far more than keep the 49ers afloat. He’s made them competitive, dangerous, and in multiple spots, outright better than anyone could have predicted.
A Career Revival by the Bay
The numbers alone tell the story of a quarterback whose confidence and command have surged.
2025 Season Stats (through week 11):
- 2,151 passing yards
- 13 touchdowns, 6 interceptions
- 97.4 passer rating
- 69.6% completion rate (201 of 289)
These are not “backup stepping in” numbers, these are potential starter caliber metrics. Jones has excelled in Kyle Shanahan’s system, thriving on quick reads, timing throws, and high percentage decisions. His footwork looks cleaner. He’s protected the ball while still pushing it downfield when necessary.
His play has been strong enough that Sports Illustrated named him the 49ers’ “Best Offseason Addition” at midseason, a nod not only to his production but to his value in keeping the team in NFC contention during an injury crisis.
The Signature Win: Week 5 in Los Angeles
The defining moment of Jones’ resurgence came in Week 5 at SoFi Stadium, a place where the 49ers have played well historically, but not usually as eight point underdogs with a backup quarterback and Jones didn’t just rise to the moment, he took over the game.
Week 5 vs Rams (in LA):
- 33 completions on 49 attempts
- 342 passing yards
- 2 TD, 0 INT
- 100.9 passer rating
He outdid a rolling Rams offense, kept the 49ers organized through adversity, and delivered multiple high pressure throws in overtime, sealing a momentum building win. It was the performance that made people inside and outside the building realize: this wasn’t just a backup but a quarterback who could truly get the job done while Purdy recovered fully.
Why a Trade Might Be Inevitable
As Purdy works his way back, and with the 49ers fully committed to him as the franchise starter, Jones’ exceptional play creates an unusual but valuable problem for San Francisco.
Typically quarterbacks who step in midseason, play efficiently, win on the road, and post top 10 level passing metrics…don’t stay backups for long.
With several teams expected to enter the 2026 offseason desperate for a starting quarterback, Jones’ value may never be higher. He’s young, he’s played meaningful snaps in a complex system, and he’s proven he can elevate a contending roster rather than weigh it down.
Executives around the league see it. Agents see it. Even the 49ers quietly see it.
If the season ended today, Mac Jones would be one of the most attractive quarterback trade targets in the NFL and a legitimate candidate to walk into another building and become their QB1.
A Resurgence With Real Stakes
What Jones has done this season is impressive. He’s built his reputation, revived his career, and put himself back into the league’s long term/franchise quarterback conversation. Purdy will be fine. The 49ers will keep winning. But Mac Jones has potentially earned the right to lead a team of his own. After what he’s shown in 2025, someone out there is going to give him that chance.