Steelers Issued Strong Take Regarding 49ers QB Mac Jones
The quarterback carousel is spinning once again across the NFL landscape.
And this time, the spotlight has shifted toward Mac Jones and the San Francisco 49ers.
As trade speculation intensifies ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, one unexpected voice has entered the conversation.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are being urged to make a bold move.
Not for a future Hall of Famer.
But for a quarterback some believe offers a smarter long term solution.
A Productive Stretch in San Francisco
Jones stepped into a challenging situation during the 2025 season.
When Brock Purdy went down with an injury, the 49ers needed stability.
They needed efficiency.
They needed someone who could keep the offense functional without derailing postseason aspirations.
Jones delivered respectable results.
In 11 games, he posted a 97.4 passer rating.
He threw for 2,151 yards.
He accounted for 13 touchdowns.
He limited mistakes with just six interceptions.
Those numbers do not scream MVP.
But they reflect competence.
They reflect poise.
They reflect a quarterback capable of operating within structure.
For a franchise that values system execution under head coach Kyle Shanahan, that matters.
The Steelers Perspective That Sparked Debate
The speculation gained momentum during the February 13 edition of The Athletic Football Show.
Co host Robert Mays did not mince words.
He argued that Pittsburgh would be better served pursuing Jones rather than reuniting with Aaron Rodgers.
“Everything about this makes me feel like I’m taking crazy pills,” Mays said.
He questioned why a potential Rodgers return would automatically be viewed as a positive.
He emphasized that Rodgers and Mike McCarthy reached a breaking point eight years ago.
That separation was not recent.
It was not minor.
It was definitive.
Mays also highlighted the financial reality.
Rodgers would command a significant salary.
Possibly north of 10 million dollars.
Jones, by comparison, offers affordability and developmental upside.
The argument is not about legacy.
It is about trajectory.
It is about cost efficiency.
It is about building sustainability rather than chasing nostalgia.
The 49ers’ Official Position
Despite the noise, clarity arrived from a trusted source.
ESPN insider Adam Schefter reported that the 49ers have no plans to trade Jones this offseason.
The organization fully intends to bring him back as Purdy’s backup.
That stance underscores the value of quarterback depth.
In today’s NFL, losing a starter can derail a season.
San Francisco witnessed that reality firsthand in 2025.
Jones provided stability during that stretch.
Letting him walk without a comparable insurance policy would introduce risk.
Still, front offices rarely ignore compelling offers.
The 49ers may not be shopping Jones.
That does not mean they would dismiss a proposal that significantly strengthens their draft capital.
Could the Asking Price Climb
Before Schefter’s report quieted speculation, ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky floated an intriguing scenario.
Given the limited quarterback depth in the upcoming draft and the thin free agent market, he suggested the 49ers could command meaningful compensation.
Perhaps a second round pick.
Possibly a third.
The quarterback supply and demand equation favors sellers.
Teams desperate for starting caliber options may overpay.
Orlovsky’s point reflects market dynamics rather than prediction.
The draft class is not widely viewed as deep.
Free agency offers limited premium names.
That scarcity inflates value.
The Bigger Strategic Question
Should the 49ers even entertain offers.
On one hand, Shanahan has shown an ability to rehabilitate quarterbacks.
Sam Darnold revitalized his trajectory in this system.
Jones also looked sharper within Shanahan’s structure than he did earlier in his career.
On the other hand, draft capital accelerates roster building.
San Francisco must balance short term security against long term flexibility.
Trading Jones would free resources and potentially add premium picks.
Keeping him ensures stability if Purdy misses time again.
For Pittsburgh, the calculus differs.
They need direction at quarterback.
They need consistency.
They need a solution that aligns with their financial and competitive timeline.
Jones represents pragmatism.
Rodgers represents experience but also volatility.
A Situation to Monitor Closely
As April approaches and the 2026 NFL Draft draws nearer, pressure will increase.
Calls will likely continue.
Rumors will persist.
Speculation will circulate.
The 49ers maintain they are not moving Jones.
The Steelers are being publicly encouraged to inquire.
And analysts remain divided on what constitutes the smarter play.
For now, the official position stands.
Mac Jones is staying in San Francisco.
But in a league driven by leverage and opportunity, definitive statements can evolve quickly.
If a team presents an offer too compelling to ignore, even firm plans can shift.
Until then, the debate remains active.
And both franchises understand that the quarterback position shapes everything that follows.
