As the NFL offseason begins, speculation grows about Mac Jones’s next team and role. The San Francisco 49ers quarterback, formerly a Pro Bowler with the New England Patriots, has expressed confidence in reclaiming a starting position, aiming to lead a team as the Week 1 quarterback in the upcoming season.
Despite this, reports indicate the 49ers have no plans to trade Jones ahead of the 2026 campaign. Meanwhile, MassLive.com gathered opinions from seven football experts predicting starting quarterbacks for all 32 NFL teams in Week 1, creating diverse scenarios due to several teams’ uncertainties.
Experts’ Predictions Highlight Multiple Possible Landing Spots
Among the forecasters, Matt Vautour and Lauren Campbell expect Jones to begin the season as the starting quarterback for the New York Jets. Meanwhile, Karen Guregian and Meredith Perri suggest Jones will take the field for the Minnesota Vikings. These predictions show that more than half of the experts believe Jones will secure a Week 1 starting quarterback role.
Other selections focused on quarterback certainty, with choices like Josh Allen and Drake Maye firmly projected as starters, while some teams such as the Vikings and Jets prompted varied opinions due to their unsettled quarterback situations.
Jones’ Ambitions and Potential Impact on the Season
Mac Jones, who spent 2025 as backup to Brock Purdy with the 49ers, recently stated he has regained his confidence and willingness to lead again. The projections by several analysts indicate Jones is still highly regarded as a capable starter in the NFL, suggesting his future could have significant implications for teams in the AFC East and beyond.
