For everyone predicting where quarterback Mac Jones will end up after the San Francisco 49ers trade him, one NFL insider says she's being told the team's backup to Brock Purdy isn't going anywhere.
Dianna Russini, Senior NFL insider for "The Athletic," includes this 49ers nugget in her latest "What I'm Hearing" article. "For teams looking to swing a deal for 49ers backup QB Mac Jones, I'm told San Francisco is not looking to part with the 2021 first-rounder," Russini wrote. "Things and offers can change, but the 49ers' preference is to keep their Brock Purdy-Jones tandem intact for 2026. Jones' 5-3 record as a starter amid the team's major injury struggles helped keep San Francisco afloat, and Kyle Shanahan loves what he has in the 27-year-old."
Jones indeed saved the 49ers' season when Purdy went down with a turf toe injury that cost him eight games in 2025. The former Alabama QB didn't light the world on fire, but Jones played well enough to keep the 49ers' postseason bid alive, finishing 5-3 in his starts. In 2025, Jones completed 69.6% of his passes for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns, and six interceptions. But it was his toughness that won over his coaches, teammates, and fans.
"He played his ass off, man," 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said of Jones, who completed 33 of 49 passes for 342 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions in a road win over the Los Angeles Rams in October, with a depleted offense. "He was unbelievable in the first half. He got banged up there in the second half and battled through it. He protected the ball and, going against that defense and throwing the ball that many times, not having a turnover and protecting the ball like he did, I can't say enough good things about Mac."
The fact that Jones played so well in place of Purdy has convinced many that San Francisco will trade him for a high draft pick before the NFL Draft in late April. But will the 49ers actually do that? Can they afford to do that? After all, Purdy missed eight games. And he missed two in 2024. When you expect to contend for the Super Bowl, can you trust that your QB1 will stay healthy, or that you can trust just any backup QB to win some games for you if he can't?
But not everyone believes what Russini has been told. Bay Area media member Larry Krueger responded to her report, saying, "This is simply posturing for a better offer. The 49ers likely have attached a high price tag on Jones, as they should. At worst, Jones is the 3rd best QB available this offseason behind only Fernando Mendoza and Malik Willis. I think it's still highly likely that Jones gets dealt, but SF wants a high price. I'd want (2) day-2 draft picks over the next 2 drafts or a solid starter and a 3rd."
This is simply posturing for a better offer. The #49ers likely have attached a high price tag on Jones, as they should. At worst, Jones is the 3rd best QB available this offseason behind only Fernando Mendoza and Malik Willis. I think it's still highly likely that Jones gets… https://t.co/2jN2lHVdbL
— Larry Krueger (@sportslarryk) February 7, 2026
Krueger is probably right. If the 49ers are getting the word out that they plan to keep Jones, they are likely trying to drive up his price. And that's not a bad thing, especially since there's a great chance Jones will be traded. The question is, should he be?