With Brock Purdy entrenched as the starter, the acquisition of Mac Jones as a backup in 2025 added a new dimension to the team's quarterback room. After navigating a challenging period in Foxborough, first-round draft pick Jones (15th overall) eventually made a successful transition to San Francisco, where he had the chance to flourish, and ironically, where a lot of pre-draft experts had him initially landing.
Jones burst onto the scene as a rookie, keeping Patriot fans optimistic with his balanced play. He guided the Patriots to a 10-7 record, throwing for 3,801 yards, completing 67.6% of his attempts, throwing 22 touchdowns to 13 interceptions. As a first-year signal-caller, he finished with a 92.5 passer rating and made the Pro Bowl. He was also the runner-up to Ja'Marr Chase for rookie of the year honors.
The wheels fell off for Jones after that first season when offensive coordinator (OC) Josh McDaniels accepted the Raiders head coaching job, leaving head coach Bill Belichick to turn the reins of the offense over to Matt Patricia. McDaniels has since returned to the Patriots' staff as the OC under head coach Mike Vrabel. Look what he's done with second-year quarterback Drake Maye.
Yes, you read that right, the Patriots turned to former defensive coordinator and failed Detroit Lions head coach, Matt Patricia. With Patricia calling the shots on offense, things declined drastically for Jones and the Pats. Jones went 6-8 and 2-9 as a starter the next two seasons, signalling the end of his time with the organization, and he lost most, if not all, of his confidence along the way.
In between his time as a starter in New England and his time in San Francisco, Jones had a one-year stint in Jacksonville, where he backed up Trevor Lawrence. With the Jags, Jones made seven starts, going 2-5 with 1,672 passing yards, throwing eight touchdowns and eight interceptions.
Under the mentorship of Kyle Shanahan, he had the opportunity to rediscover his passion and enhance his effectiveness, turning previous challenges into valuable learning experiences. It's encouraging to see his development and his rediscovered confidence. As the 49ers evaluate their roster for the upcoming season, a key question emerges: Should they consider trading Mac Jones for valuable draft capital or retain him as an affordable insurance policy?
Mac Jones' 2025 season: Stepping up amidst adversity
Not all heroes wear capes. Just when 49ers' fans thought their season was in serious doubt after losing starting quarterback Brock Purdy for multiple weeks to a turf toe injury, Mac Jones entered the chat. Jones, in the first of a two-year $7 million deal, was just what the doctor prescribed for the 49ers.
Jones kept San Francisco's season afloat, guiding them to a 5-3 record as a starter while completing a career-high 69.6% of his passes. He threw for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns, and six interceptions.
A capable backup quarterback with a reasonable cap hit is a luxury. A backup quarterback who knows there is a market for him to return as a starter but is content in his role for another season is invaluable. Look at what Sam Darnold has accomplished after cleansing his palate with Shanahan and the 49ers.
When asked if he'd like to remain in San Francisco for another season, Jones said he'd be happy to return and once again learn under Kyle Shanahan.
"I really got a Ph.D. in football this year, and I want to keep getting better," Jones said. I feel like they helped me get my swag back," he said.
"At the end of the day, it's up to you to keep your swag, right? But to have Trent and everybody just backing me every day since OTAs when I first got here? "I feel like people had their — I don't know — opinions about me, or some people didn't know me or hadn't played with me before. And I just showed who I am. And I think they enjoyed playing with me. I enjoyed playing with them, and that's all you can ask."
Evaluating Jones' market value
With Jones' stock rising after his successful 2025 performance, his trade value is arguably at its peak. Rumors suggest that San Francisco could convey a second-round pick plus additional assets from quarterback-needy teams such as the Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, or Pittsburgh Steelers.
ESPN's Bill Barnwell outlined in his latest story a hypothetical trade that would send Jones and a 2027 NFL Draft pick to Minnesota for three total draft picks.
"In this deal, the 49ers get a second-rounder for a future third-rounder," Barnwell wrote. "There are also two conditional picks, which should help protect them if Jones blossoms in Minnesota. The 2027 conditional pick would trigger based on Jones' playing time with the Vikings. If he starts four games in 2026, the Vikings send a fifth-round pick out west.
If Jones starts 12 games, that gets upped to a third-rounder. And then, if Jones re-signs with the Vikings after the 2026 season and starts at least one game for the Vikings in 2027, the 49ers would land another third-round pick.
"If Jones spends just 2025 backing up McCarthy, the 49ers swap only the Day 2 picks. If Jones emerges as the long-term starter in Minnesota, though, the Vikings could send a second-rounder and two third-round picks to the 49ers -- a price that Kevin O'Connell would surely be happy to pay for an upgrade at quarterback."
So, to obtain the second-rounder, the 49ers would have to forfeit a future third-round selection with Jones, but could see two of the conditional picks become third-rounders. There is a lot to unpack there, but at best, this proposal would be Jones and a future third in exchange for a second and two-thirds. In that case, it's a deal too good for John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan to turn down.
As valuable as Jones is to the organization, barring a serious injury to Purdy, he's going to walk in free agency following next season anyway, seeking a big payday. The 49ers are desperate to replenish their roster depth now that they do not have a quarterback on a rookie contract. Transforming a backup quarterback into potentially three picks in the top half of the draft is certainly appealing.
Understanding that was a hypothetical trade scenario, is that return actually attainable? We may find out in the coming weeks. What would you do if you were the 49ers when it comes to Mac Jones?