Could Mac Jones Be Traded During 2026 Offseason? NFL Insider Weighs In on 49ers QB

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport feels there will be “many, many teams” interested in trading for quarterback Mac Jones should the San Francisco 49ers decide to shop him this offseason.

Rapoport said Friday that Jones, who has started eight games this season amid multiple injury absences from Brock Purdy, could be a top trade candidate in part because the 2026 NFL draft could be “lackluster” in terms of quarterback depth.

“What Mac Jones did for himself this year, and for the 49ers, was re-establish himself as a starting quarterback that can win games… certainly wonder if they will end up trading him this offseason,” Rapoport said. “They’re going to have interest.”

Jones turned 27 in September. He is currently signed through the 2026 season thanks to the two-year, $8.4 million contract he inked with the 49ers last offseason.

That deal has since paid off for the Niners, who have lost Purdy to all but two games this season amid multiple stints sidelined with toe injuries.

Jones has meanwhile led the team to a 5-3 record in Purdy’s absence, completing 69.6 percent of his passes for 2,151 yards with 13 touchdowns and six picks over that span.

He is now likely to return to his previous QB2 position as Purdy prepares to return to the field for Sunday’s Week 11 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals.

Shanahan said in a Thursday appearance on KNBR’s Dirty Work that Jones understood his starting role had been temporary and had an “awesome” reaction to Purdy’s return.

“I’m really pumped to have him this year, and I’m really pumped that we have him next year also,” Shanahan said.

Jones has proven his value to the 49ers by helping the team stay in the playoff race while Purdy was sidelined.

Depending on the price other quarterback-needy teams would be willing to offer for Jones this offseason, however, the Niners may ultimately consider a potential trade regardless of his fit behind Purdy in the depth chart.

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