The Minnesota Vikings are exploring options at quarterback as they look to create competition for J.J. McCarthy following a disappointing 2025 season. One name frequently linked to Minnesota has been Mac Jones of the San Francisco 49ers.
Jones rejuvenated his NFL career this past season, starting eight games and going 5-3 while keeping the team in playoff contention during Brock Purdy's injury recovery. He became a logical trade candidate for quarterback-needy teams.
Jones seemed like a good fit for Minnesota, especially given that Sam Darnold, a past 49ers reclamation project, just won a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks.
According to Matt Barrows and Vic Tafur of The Athletic, chatter at the NFL Scouting Combine indicated that the trade market for Jones might not be as strong as initially expected. That could include the Vikings' expected interest.
Speaking Monday on Bay Area radio station KNBR, ESPN insider Dan Graziano explained why the Vikings may hesitate to trade for the 49ers quarterback.
Graziano noted that while a quarterback-needy team could likely acquire Jones from the 49ers, it wouldn't come cheap because of the draft compensation needed to make the move. Additionally, any acquiring team would likely need to sign Jones to a contract extension.
That presents a dilemma for Minnesota.
The Vikings are not ready to give up on McCarthy's long-term upside, but they also appear reluctant to hand him the starting job outright after his struggles. Ideally, they would add a veteran who can start in the short term while pushing McCarthy.
Trading for a player like Jones could complicate that plan.
"That means, if you trade for Mac Jones, and you give the 49ers what it's going to require to get him, and then you sign Mac Jones to the contract that he would want, presumably to be your starter, you're probably not playing McCarthy this year," Graziano said. "And you're probably telling him, 'Hey, JJ, we're probably looking at somebody else here for the long term.'"
Graziano suggested Minnesota may prefer signing a free-agent veteran who can bridge the gap without signaling a massive shift in the team's long-term plans and seemingly giving up completely on McCarthy.
"I think if you trade for Mac Jones right now, you're at least considering that possibility," Graziano added.