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The San Francisco 49ers have a valuable trade piece in backup QB Mac Jones. With the free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft having a shortage of signal-callers, teams are looking to bolster that position this offseason.
Jones showed flashes of being a QB1 when Brock Purdy was injured during the 2025 season. Moreover, with Seattle Seahawks QB Sam Darnold crediting his one season with the 49ers for helping with his turnaround, it comes as no surprise that many would like to see if Jones could follow in those footsteps.
As a result, many are speculating once the 49ers’ 2025 season ended whether they’d consider trading Jones. The Niners’ backup had a passer rating of 97.4, 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns, and six interceptions in 11 regular-season games, per StatMuse.
Even with all the speculation regarding Jones, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter put an end to the speculation regarding Jones.
“Despite continued speculation, the 49ers have no plans to trade QB Mac Jones this off-season and fully intend to bring him back to back up Brock Purdy, per sources,” Schefter wrote on X on Feb. 8.
Should the Niners Consider Trading Mac Jones?
Before Schefter ended speculation regarding Jones, at least for now, ESPN NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky believes the 49ers can command a high asking price given Darnold’s success.
“There’s going to be so many places that are going to want a starting-caliber quarterback,” Orlovsky said during a Feb. 4 appearance on KNBR. “We know the draft isn’t deep. I think the No. 1 free agent is more than likely Malik Willis. If you’re the 49ers and you have these teams calling you, are you going to maybe get a second-round pick for Mac, a third-round pick? I have no idea, but I’m not going to be shocked by it.”
Moreover, Orlovsky believes that the Niners could use the assets from a Jones trade to get younger or perhaps use what they acquire in a trade to parlay it into a bigger move.
“I think that Mac in his camp will probably be trying to have a conversation with the 49ers to do right by him in that regard,” Orlovsky added. “I think the 49ers have to because of the reality of where their roster is, and they are getting older in some key parts and faced health concerns in the past. If you can get value for a guy now in comparison to very little for him next year, I think you have to entertain it.”
49ers Linked to Raiders’ Maxx Crosby
Although the 49ers might not be looking to make a trade with Jones, they could be pursuing a blockbuster deal this offseason.
With the offseason underway for the Niners, the trade speculation is ongoing with ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reporting in an article published on Feb. 7 that San Francisco are one of five teams having an interest in Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby.
“The reality is the Raiders are still far away from significant winning, and the trade interest in Crosby is incredibly robust,” Fowler wrote. “In fact, I believe more than a dozen teams, possibly up to 20, will at least inquire with levels of serious intent.
“And there are some natural would-be contenders, including the Bills, Lions, 49ers, Cowboys and Ravens. One team that typically doesn’t jump in these high-stakes waters but would be perfect to try: the Buccaneers. This is the type of move that would put Tampa Bay over the top.”
Eduardo Razo Eduardo Razo is a sports writer for Heavy.com, covering the NFL, MLB, and college football. He has previously covered the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB for NBC Sports Washington and NBC Sports Bay Area & California, and has freelanced for PSG Talk, covering Paris Saint-Germain. He also worked as an editor at Athlon Sports, focusing on MLB and the NFL. More about Eduardo Razo
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