The San Francisco 49ers hold a significant bargaining piece in backup quarterback Mac Jones, whose 2025 season demonstrated his ability to lead an NFL team effectively. In 11 games substituting for injured starter Brock Purdy, Jones recorded a 97.4 passer rating, throwing for 2,151 yards with 13 touchdowns and six interceptions, according to StatMuse. His performance has attracted attention from teams seeking a reliable starting quarterback.
The Minnesota Vikings, coming off a nine-win campaign in 2025, are reportedly exploring options to upgrade their quarterback position. Jones has surfaced as a potential trade target if Minnesota can present an offer compelling enough to San Francisco, especially given the team’s need for stability at the position.
NBC Sports writer Matthew Berry shared insights from the NFL Scouting Combine about the Vikings’ pursuit of a veteran signal-caller capable of pushing incumbent starter Sean McCarthy. Berry noted that Minnesota is evaluating multiple quarterbacks including Malik Willis, Mac Jones, and Daniel Jones, but acquiring one would likely require committing to them as a starter, which comes at a high cost.
49ers Confirm Commitment to Keeping Mac Jones on Roster
Despite speculation around his availability, the 49ers have consistently expressed their intention to retain Mac Jones for the 2026 season. General Manager John Lynch’s recent comments reaffirmed this stance, emphasizing the value Jones adds to the team.
“He’s really good for us, and we value that,”
Lynch stated.
“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 we saw this year, your franchise guy goes down, and it’s nice to have someone like that.”
– John Lynch, San Francisco 49ers General Manager
Analyzing the Pros and Cons of Trading Mac Jones
While the Niners hold a firm position on retaining Jones, ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky recognizes the quarterback’s rising trade value and the demand across the league for starting-quality passers. Speaking on KNBR, Orlovsky highlighted that with a shallow quarterback draft class and limited free-agent options—likely led by Malik Willis—teams will need to look elsewhere.
“There’s going to be so many places that are going to want a starting-caliber quarterback,”
Orlovsky said.
“If you’re the 49ers and you have these teams calling you, are you going to maybe get a second-round pick for Mac, a third-round pick? I have no idea, but I’m not going to be shocked by it.”
– Dan Orlovsky, ESPN Analyst
Orlovsky also suggested that trading Jones could provide San Francisco with valuable assets to refresh an aging roster or potentially facilitate a larger move through additional trade leverage.
“I think that Mac in his camp will probably be trying to have a conversation with the 49ers to do right by him in that regard,”
he added.
I think the 49ers have to because of the reality of where their roster is, and they are getting older in some key parts and faced health concerns in the past. If you can get value for a guy now in comparison to very little for him next year, I think you have to entertain it.”
– Dan Orlovsky, ESPN Analyst
How Minnesota’s Quarterback Search Shapes Potential Trade Talks
The Vikings’ interest in Mac Jones is part of a broader search for a dependable quarterback who can challenge or replace Sean McCarthy as starter. According to Matthew Berry, Minnesota’s front office is casting widely, considering veterans and young prospects alike to fill this critical gap.
[The Vikings] are casting a wide net looking for a veteran arm that is NOT just depth but rather could potentially start for them and certainly bring real competition to McCarthy,
Berry wrote.
They’ll take a look at potentially trying to get Malik Willis, trade for Mac Jones or sign Daniel Jones but the thought is that it’ll cost so much to get one of them that they would HAVE to make them the starter and be done with McCarthy, so they’ll probably go a little cheaper.
– Matthew Berry, NBC Sports
Implications for the 49ers and NFL Quarterback Landscape
The 49ers’ decision to hold onto Mac Jones could provide crucial depth behind Brock Purdy, highlighting the importance of reliable backups in a sport fraught with injuries. Meanwhile, the Vikings’ search illustrates the challenges teams face in securing franchise-level quarterbacks in a class with limited top-tier options.
Should trade talks eventually materialize, Jones’ value could trigger significant moves that reshape team strategies ahead of the 2026 NFL season. For now, San Francisco appears committed to keeping their promising quarterback onboard, balancing immediate roster stability against potential long-term trades.
Does Sam Darnold's success following his backup tenure with the Niners raise the trade value of Mac Jones?
Dan Orlovsky thinks so.
(via @knbrmurph & @MarkusBoucher) pic.twitter.com/r82rwXBs0O
— KNBR (@KNBR) February 4, 2026
