Jets, 49ers Connected to Big Trade That Would Raise Eyebrows

The New York Jets will certainly have a whole lot of work to do this offseason, and with a mammoth amount of cap space, they will surely be busy in free agency.

However, the Jets' problems start with the quarterback position, where New York does not have a clear path to an answer heading into 2026.

The most likely scenario will feature the Jets drafting a signal-caller, but that also depends on where they end up in the draft order and whether or not they can trade up.

So could New York actually acquire a quarterback via other means after the season concludes?

Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic thinks so, floating the idea that Gang Green could potentially swing a trade for a quarterback this spring.

Rosenblatt mentioned a few potential candidates for the Jets, but perhaps the most intriguing option he pitched was San Francisco 49ers signal-caller Mac Jones.

Jones signed a two-year deal with the 49ers to be Brock Purdy's backup, but was thrust into a starting role for a good portion of 2025 thanks to a Purdy injury.

Purdy is now back under center, but in the eight starts Jones made in his absence, he threw for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions while completing 69.6 percent of his passes and posting a 97.4 passer rating.

That was definitely enough to catch everyone's attention, and remember: Jones was a first-round pick of the New England Patriots back in 2021 and made the Pro Bowl during his rookie campaign.

Yes, things went haywire over Jones' last two seasons with the Patriots before being traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he spent 2024, but was Jones the problem? Or was it New England?

Jones has certainly rebuilt some of his value this year, but you also have to wonder if he really is a potential starter or if Kyle Shanahan's system is merely making him look like one.

The 27-year-old probably wouldn't come incredibly cheap, either. The Jets certainly wouldn't be able to snatch him for a late-round pick. In fact, Jones could ultimately fetch a Day 2 selection for San Francisco.

Is that an avenue New York would be willing to explore? Or would the Jets just rather take their chances in the draft in April?

We'll see what happens, but Jones could present a rather compelling quarterback candidate for New York this offseason.