The San Francisco 49ers may not be actively shopping backup quarterback Mac Jones, but that hasn't stopped speculation about what could happen if a strong trade offer emerges.
On Saturday, The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported that the 49ers are "not looking to part with" Jones. That aligns with what head coach Kyle Shanahan said at the end of the season.
"I'd be very surprised if Mac wasn't around us next year," Shanahan told reporters.
Still, Shanahan didn't completely shut the door on the possibility of a trade.
"As with any player on our team, including myself and [GM] John [Lynch], you always listen to people with trade offers, but we're also not into getting rid of good players," he said.
Jones signed a two-year deal with the 49ers in 2025, keeping him under contract through the 2026 NFL season. The move proved to be one of San Francisco's best offseason decisions. When starting quarterback Brock Purdy was sidelined with a turf toe injury, Jones stepped in and started eight games, going 5–3 and keeping the 49ers in playoff contention.
Could Kirk Cousins reunite with Kyle Shanahan?
If the 49ers were to trade Jones this offseason, CBS Sports' Tyler Sullivan believes there is a logical replacement. It's a name very familiar to The Faithful because it's been linked to the 49ers for years—Kirk Cousins.
"The Niners are reportedly reluctant to trade Jones, but what if a team blows them out of the water?" Sullivan wrote. "With Brock Purdy as the set-and-forget starter, you almost have to move Jones if a team comes in with a big offer."
Cousins is currently an expensive backup for the Atlanta Falcons after signing a four-year, $180 million contract in 2024. He started eight games in 2025 after Michael Penix Jr. suffered an ACL injury, finishing with 1,721 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, five interceptions, and a 5–3 record as a starter.
Atlanta is widely expected to move on from the veteran quarterback this offseason.
Sullivan also pointed to Shanahan's well-documented history with Cousins.
"One of the worst-kept secrets in the NFL is Kyle Shanahan's affinity for Cousins after working with him as the OC in Washington for the first two years of his career," Sullivan added. "In fact, it was widely believed the 49ers were going to sign Cousins as a free agent in 2018, but traded for Jimmy Garoppolo before he reached the open market.
"Well, all these years later, Shanahan and Cousins could finally reunite, albeit with him as the backup."
Whether the 49ers ultimately keep Jones or pivot to a veteran like Cousins may depend entirely on the trade market. For now, San Francisco appears content with its quarterback depth behind Purdy.
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