The 49ers could be in the trade market this offseason as Mac Jones may have a starting job in 2026.
Kyle Shanahan made it clear at season’s end: the San Francisco 49ers do not anticipate trading backup quarterback Mac Jones this offseason, but in the NFL, firm stances can soften quickly, especially when draft picks start flying.
Jones revived his career in 2025 while filling in for Brock Purdy, who missed time with a toe injury.
Across 11 games (eight starts), Jones completed 201 of 289 passes for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns, and six interceptions.
His 69.6 completion percentage, 97.4 passer rating, and 4.5 touchdown percentage all marked career bests.
For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, having that level of insurance behind Purdy is a luxury few contenders can match.
That’s precisely why quarterback-needy franchises could come calling.
According to Vic Tafur of The Athletic, teams navigating a thin 2026 quarterback draft class are expected to make “big offers” for Jones.
Tafur even suggested the framework for a bidding war, writing, “The bidding starts with a third-round pick … do we hear a second-round pick?”
That type of escalation could force San Francisco’s hand.
In a hypothetical floated by Bill Barnwell of ESPN, Minnesota would receive Jones and a 2027 third-round pick in exchange for a 2026 second-round selection, plus conditional mid-round assets in 2027 and 2028.
For a front office led by John Lynch, that’s the kind of multi-year draft capital package that demands consideration, especially with looming contract decisions across the roster.
Jones has been open about his desire to start again. At 27, he’s still young enough to reset his trajectory with the right opportunity.
For a team that misses out on top-tier veteran options or doesn’t love the incoming rookie class, Jones represents a proven bridge with upside, and one who just posted the most efficient season of his career in a playoff-caliber offense.
Still, Shanahan’s public comments reflect the 49ers’ mindset. “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,” he said. “So, I’d be very surprised if Mac wasn’t around us next year.”
Surprised, perhaps, but not shocked.
The 49ers don’t need to trade Jones. That leverage works in their favor, but if a quarterback-hungry team pushes the bidding into second-round territory or beyond, San Francisco may have to weigh short-term security against long-term flexibility.
In today’s NFL, the right offer can change everything.