San Francisco, California
The San Francisco 49ers are facing a major decision in the 2026 offseason regarding the future of quarterback Mac Jones. Despite being a backup to Brock Purdy in the past season, Jones impressed with his stellar performances when filling in for Purdy during his toe injury. Now, with strong interest from multiple teams, GM John Lynch has received several calls and offers exceeding $30 million for Jones, making his future with the 49ers a hot topic.
Jones, who signed a two-year deal with the 49ers last offseason, showed his worth in 2025, starting eight games while Purdy dealt with an injury. Jones led the team to a 5-3 record in those games, keeping the 49ers competitive in the playoff race until Purdy’s return. Jones’ performance has generated significant trade interest from teams in need of a reliable quarterback. However, with a contract extending through the 2026 season and proving to be an elite backup, the 49ers may choose to hold onto him.
According to sources close to the 49ers, GM John Lynch has received more than three calls from teams looking to acquire Mac Jones. The offers have come with impressive price tags, reportedly reaching over $30 million. This high demand for Jones reflects the value teams place on a reliable backup quarterback, especially one with Jones’ experience and potential.
However, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, while the 49ers have received multiple inquiries, they haven’t shown a strong inclination to let Jones go, and they may hold onto him unless the price is right. “He’s not just any backup quarterback; he’s a player with immense value, and he could help the team stay competitive in any situation,” Russini said.
A star at Alabama, where he won a national championship in 2020, Jones was drafted by the New England Patriots in the first round (15th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft, with the expectation that he would be Tom Brady’s successor. After a successful rookie season, which earned him Pro Bowl honors and led the Patriots to the playoffs, Jones struggled in the following two years, which led to the Patriots trading him to the Jacksonville Jaguars before the 2024 season.
During his sole season with the Jaguars, Jones started seven games in place of an injured Trevor Lawrence, completing 65.3% of his passes for 1,672 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions. After the season, the Jaguars did not retain him, opening the door for the 49ers to sign him to a two-year deal.
The 49ers have made it clear that Jones will not be easy to acquire. As the backup quarterback position is one of the most critical roles in football, the 49ers are asking for a significant return. With Jones proving his worth during the 2025 season, teams in need of a quarterback are eager to land him, but the high asking price may deter some teams from making a deal.
With multiple teams expressing interest in Jones and offering impressive sums, GM John Lynch now faces a tough decision. He could keep Jones as an elite backup to Brock Purdy, ensuring depth and security at the quarterback position, or he could accept an offer that would allow the team to be more flexible financially during the offseason.
Despite the growing interest from other teams, the future of Mac Jones with the 49ers is still uncertain. The 49ers will need to carefully weigh the offers and decide whether to keep Jones as a valuable insurance policy or let him go in exchange for significant trade compensation. With the 2026 season on the horizon, the 49ers’ decision regarding Jones could be one of the key moves of their offseason.
