Mac Jones, the quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, has become a notable trade candidate during the NFL offseason after stepping in effectively for starter Brock Purdy earlier this year. Despite this interest, the 49ers remain committed to keeping Jones on the roster for the 2026 season, with General Manager John Lynch stating that only a considerably strong trade proposal would prompt them to consider letting him go.
John Lynch expressed the team’s appreciation for Jones’ contributions, saying,
“He’s really good for us and we value that. And so somebody would have to come with something fairly strong for us to consider (trading him). And then I don’t know what we do. Obviously there’s always something that would make you (do it), but I think we’re a better team with him on it and we just like having him around,”
as reported by Nick Wagoner.
49ers’ Intent to Retain Jones as Backup in 2026
Multiple reports have reinforced the 49ers’ preference to keep Jones on the team as a backup quarterback next season. Journalist Dianna Russini highlighted earlier this month that the 49ers do not seek to trade Jones, and Adam Schefter has confirmed the organization’s plan to retain him in that role. Jones himself has shown enthusiasm about remaining with San Francisco, despite rumors linking him to potential starting roles with other franchises such as the Minnesota Vikings.
Jones recently signed a two-year contract extension before the 2025 season, emphasizing his ambition to develop under head coach Kyle Shanahan. He stated,
“I started half the games and we did well,”
and added,
“I signed a two-year deal in San Francisco, so my whole goal was to get back on track and get with Kyle. Just work with him and learn and ‘get my PhD in football’ is what I’ve been saying, because it’s true. And if I have to do that again next year I’ll be really excited. I feel like it’s a good fit for me,”
as shared with Ian Rapoport.
Jones Focused on Fit and Future Opportunities
While Jones remains focused on the present, he acknowledged the importance of being in the right situation for his career and expressed positivity about being part of trade discussions after moving between teams earlier in his career. Reflecting on his growth and experience, Jones said,
“I think for me I just try to always be where my feet are. What I do know is you have to be in the right situation. That’s definitely what I learned this year. Just being in the right offense with playmakers around you — that’s important. So any quarterback that’s in free agency or could get traded or whatever your situation is, you want to go somewhere that fits and makes sense. At the end of the day that’s what I want in San Francisco. We’ll see what happens. I think it’s good to be talked about. At the end of the day I just want to keep playing good ball.”
Head coach Kyle Shanahan has echoed optimism about Jones’ role with the team, previously indicating he would be surprised if Jones were not part of the roster in 2026.
Jones’ Background and NFL Career Overview
At 27 years old, Mac Jones made a name for himself at Alabama, where he became a standout quarterback starting from 2020. He led one of the most successful offenses in the school’s history, earning consensus All-American honors as a redshirt junior and winning the prestigious Davey O’Brien Award before declaring for the NFL Draft. The New England Patriots selected him with the 15th overall pick in 2021.
Jones initially signed a four-year contract worth over $15.5 million with the Patriots, including an $8.7 million signing bonus. However, after three seasons, New England traded him to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a sixth-round pick. The Jaguars declined his fifth-year option heading into the 2024 offseason, which led Jones to sign a two-year deal with the 49ers in March.
During the 2025 season, Jones played in 11 games for San Francisco and started eight. He completed nearly 70 percent of his pass attempts, throwing for 2,151 yards alongside 13 touchdowns and six interceptions. His performance has added to his trade value as teams consider their options ahead of the 2026 season.
Future Implications of Jones’ Status with the 49ers
The spotlight on Mac Jones’ trade value underscores a complex scenario for the 49ers as they balance roster depth, quarterback development, and potential trade leverage. Retaining Jones offers stability and a strong backup option behind Brock Purdy, while a high-value trade could bring in resources to strengthen other positions. Jones’ openness to continue learning under Shanahan’s system aligns with the 49ers’ longer-term plans, but the situation remains fluid depending on the offers that may come from interested teams looking to bolster their starting quarterback options.
As the offseason advances, the 49ers’ stance on Jones will remain a critical storyline, with his trade value Mac Jones continues to be debated at the highest levels of the NFL community.
#49ers GM John Lynch on QB Mac Jones:
"He's really good for us and we value that. And so somebody would have to come with something fairly strong for us to consider (trading him). And then I don't know what we do. Obviously there's always something that would make you (do it),…
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) February 24, 2026
Despite continued speculation, the 49ers have no plans to trade QB Mac Jones this off-season and fully intend to bring him back to back up Brock Purdy, per sources. pic.twitter.com/3KzFoAQlOU
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 8, 2026
From The Insiders live from Radio Row: #49ers QB Mac Jones joined the show to discuss his former team, facing the #Seahawks… and what his future holds. pic.twitter.com/CJ6Ds1fqQY
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 5, 2026
