Mac Jones is entering his second season with the San Francisco 49ers and appears to be enjoying every minute of his time in Kyle Shanahan's offense. The quarterback signed a two-year deal to serve as Brock Purdy's backup, and that investment paid significant dividends for the 49ers last season.
When Purdy missed time with a turf toe injury, Jones stepped in and performed admirably. He went 5-3 in eight starts and finished the season completing 69.6 percent of his passes for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns, and six interceptions.
More importantly, Jones kept the offense operating efficiently and helped keep the 49ers in the playoff hunt while Purdy recovered.
That strong showing sparked speculation that Jones could draw trade interest this offseason—and he reportedly did. However, recognizing how valuable the veteran quarterback is to Shanahan and the offense, the 49ers reportedly set an asking price of at least a first-round draft pick. This cost ultimately forced interested teams to pivot their plans.
Many believe Jones could once again become a trade candidate if the 49ers get off to a strong start in 2026 and Purdy stays healthy. NFL insider Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk is among those who believe that scenario remains possible.
"I think he's a guy who potentially could be traded to a team that develops a need at the quarterback position between Week 1 and the Tuesday after Week 9 because who knows who's going to get injured," Florio said in a Pro Football Talk mailbag video, per Eduardo Razo of Heavy. "There was a year, I think it was 2023, when quarterbacks were dropping like flies.
"Some years, injuries to starting quarterbacks are minimal, but that may be when the window opens for someone to trade for Mac Jones. And if the injury happens during training camp or the preseason, quarterback injuries are typically rare in training camp because quarterbacks can't be touched."
Florio pointed out that Jones enjoyed a promising rookie season with the New England Patriots before his career stalled over the next few years. Since arriving in San Francisco, however, Shanahan has helped revive the quarterback's career and rebuild his value around the NFL.
Even if Jones sees limited action in 2026, Florio believes his stock could continue to climb.
"But he'll be a free agent in March 2027," Florio continued, "and I think at that time, especially if he plays this year and plays well again, he'll be one of the candidates to go somewhere and compete to be a starter, or at a minimum, be the guy who arrives as the starter until six weeks later when the team uses a first-round draft pick on the player they hope will be the long-term answer."
For now, Jones remains focused on helping the 49ers during the 2026 season. While he hopes to earn another opportunity to lead an NFL team in the future, his priority is supporting Purdy and being ready whenever Shanahan calls his number.
"I'm still 27," Jones recently said. I have some good scars and bad scars, but I know I can play. But I do want to get that chance again, to run a team and be the guy ... It's hard when it's Brock's team—or any backup—I'm sure they deal with that.
"But if you can get that chance again, I feel like I can really elevate people around me. And whether that comes soon or later or never, I know I'm going to be ready for it. I hope it does happen."
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