What a Mac Jones Trade Between the 49ers and Vikings Could Look Like
The San Francisco 49ers may not be actively shopping Mac Jones this offseason.
That does not mean they will ignore the phone if it rings.
Quarterback scarcity remains one of the defining themes of every NFL offseason.
Functional starters rarely become available at a reasonable cost.
Jones quietly reestablished himself as exactly that in 2025.
Across eight starts for San Francisco, he posted a 5 and 3 record while stabilizing the offense during stretches when the depth chart demanded it.
He has one year remaining on the two year contract he signed with the 49ers last offseason.
The financial commitment is modest.
The upside is clear.
After Sam Darnold revitalized his career in San Francisco before winning a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks, rival organizations may view Jones as the next reclamation success story waiting to happen.
Why Minnesota Makes Sense
The Minnesota Vikings present an intriguing landing spot.
Second year quarterback JJ McCarthy endured an up and down campaign that left lingering questions about long term reliability.
Minnesota finished 9 and 8 despite inconsistent quarterback play.
In a fiercely competitive NFC North, marginal improvement under center could shift the playoff equation.
Complicating matters further, the dismissal of general manager Kwesi Adofo Mensah has created organizational fluidity.
A new regime often reassesses inherited quarterbacks without emotional attachment.
Vikings Wire writer Andrew Harbaugh suggested that Minnesota cannot afford to enter 2026 relying solely on McCarthy and Carson Wentz.
Doing so, in his view, would signal a lack of urgency in a division where incremental upgrades matter.
Mac Jones would represent stability.
Not necessarily a franchise cornerstone.
But a viable option capable of executing structure, limiting turnovers, and sustaining drives.
What the Trade Package Could Be
Harbaugh proposed a concrete framework.
Vikings receive Mac Jones.
49ers receive a third round pick, No. 97 overall, and a fifth round pick, No. 161 overall via Philadelphia.
From San Francisco’s perspective, the appeal is tangible.
The 49ers currently lack their own fifth and sixth round selections.
Acquiring an additional Day 3 asset provides flexibility.
Extra mid to late round capital enables strategic trade ups or calculated trade backs without sacrificing entire rounds of participation.
It also aligns with roster construction realities.
San Francisco needs impact contributors on cost controlled contracts.
Two additional draft swings increase the probability of uncovering a rotational starter or developmental prospect at a position of need.
Given Jones’ affordable contract and the potential for a compensatory pick if he departs next offseason, the 49ers are unlikely to settle for minimal return.
A Day 2 selection paired with additional capital meets that threshold.
Minnesota, meanwhile, reportedly projects to hold more than 10 selections in the 2026 NFL Draft once compensatory picks are finalized.
Depth of capital reduces hesitation.
Moving a third and a fifth would not cripple flexibility.
It would represent targeted investment at the most consequential position in football.
The Strategic Calculation
For San Francisco, the debate centers on risk versus resource allocation.
Retaining Jones preserves one of the league’s more reliable backups behind Brock Purdy.
Injuries or regression are unpredictable variables.
Depth at quarterback remains valuable insurance.
However, if the best offer available includes a third and a fifth round selection, passing may prove difficult.
Draft capital carries multi year leverage.
Backup quarterbacks, by contrast, often provide situational value.
For Minnesota, the move would signal intent.
It would communicate that the organization refuses to let quarterback instability derail a roster capable of competing.
In a division featuring playoff caliber opponents, marginal quarterback improvement could determine January participation.
Would Either Side Pull the Trigger
Trades of this nature hinge on leverage.
If multiple teams inquire, San Francisco’s asking price rises.
If the Vikings become the primary suitor, negotiation tightens.
At its core, the proposal reflects logic rather than speculation.
Minnesota needs stability.
San Francisco values draft flexibility.
Mac Jones sits at the intersection of both realities.
If the market solidifies around a third and fifth round return, the 49ers would face a compelling decision.
In a league defined by calculated aggression, that type of offer may ultimately outweigh the comfort of retaining a quality quarterback behind Purdy.
