The 49ers value Mac Jones's proven starting ability and affordable contract. Acquiring him requires a significant offer to pry away this championship window's crucial security.
The San Francisco 49ers have been consistent all offseason and have continued to say they want Mac Jones back in 2026.
At the NFL Combine, head coach Kyle Shanahan reiterated he’d be “very surprised” if Jones wasn’t on the roster next season. General manager John Lynch echoed that sentiment.
“He’s really good for us and we value that,” Lynch said. “And so somebody would have to come with something fairly strong for us to consider. … I think we’re a better team with him on it and we just like having him around.”
That’s not a shutdown. That’s a price tag.
Why the 49ers Value Mac Jones
Jones proved his worth in 2025 when Brock Purdy went down with a toe injury. He stepped in and showed he can function as a legitimate starter in Shanahan’s system.
The 49ers are firmly in a win-now window. Their Super Bowl hopes hinge on Purdy staying healthy, but they’ve now experienced firsthand how quickly a season can wobble when QB1 goes down.
Having Jones as a backup is a luxury and insurance.
And it’s affordable insurance. Jones carries just a $3 million cap hit in 2026. For a quarterback who has starting experience and recent proof of competence, that’s a bargain in today’s NFL.
Which is exactly why another team might call.
Why the Trade Interest Makes Sense
Jones has said he believes he’s “proven” he can start in this league. It’s hard to argue. But barring another injury to Purdy, that opportunity isn’t coming in San Francisco.
For quarterback-needy teams, Jones represents:
- A low cap hit
- Starting experience
- System adaptability
- Immediate competition at QB
In a draft that lacks elite top end quarterback talent, trading for Jones could feel safer than gambling on a developmental prospect.
But here’s the key: the 49ers don’t need to move him.
What Is “Fairly Strong”?
Lynch’s wording was deliberate. He didn’t slam the door. He didn’t invite offers. He set a standard. “Fairly strong” likely means something like “don’t call thinking you’re getting him for a Day 3 pick.”
Would the 49ers love a first-rounder? Of course. Is that realistic? Probably not.
A second-round pick would get serious attention. A third-rounder packaged with additional mid-round capital might also do it.
The questions are simple:
- Is a second-round starter more valuable than elite backup quarterback insurance?
- Does that draft pick help the 49ers more in 2026 than Jones would if Purdy misses time again?
The Leverage Belongs to San Francisco
This isn’t a situation where a player wants out and the team must act. Jones isn’t holding out. Shanahan and Lynch publicly support him. The locker room respects him. The 49ers are comfortable keeping him and that gives them leverage.
If another team gets desperate the price could rise. San Francisco can afford to wait.
And if no offer meets their threshold? They keep one of the better backup quarterbacks (if not the best) in football on a deal.
The Bottom Line
The 49ers are not shopping Mac Jones but they’re also not giving him away.
For a team in a championship window, depth at quarterback is non-negotiable. If someone wants to pry that security away, it will take a legitimate offer of something that meaningfully improves the roster right now.
Until then, Shanahan’s “very surprised” comment should be taken at face value. The 49ers are a better team with Mac Jones on it and it will take something strong to convince them otherwise.