49ers’ Mac Jones Discusses Trade Rumors

Jones addressed ongoing trade rumors in an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show this week, telling guest host Andrew Siciliano: “I think this is my No. 1 question that I’ve been asked. Look, I love (general manger) John (Lynch), I love (head coach) Kyle (Shanahan), the York family. It’s the best organization I feel like that I’ve played for in terms of just top-to-bottom greatness, so far, and I don’t like leaving good people. I hope they enjoy having me there.”

Lynch and Shanahan do enjoy having Jones there, as they have said on multiple occasions the 49ers’ roster is better with him on it. That doesn’t make Jones untouchable, but it would reportedly take an astronomical offer (more than a second-round pick) for Lynch to part with one of the league’s top No. 2 QBs.

As a first-round rookie with the Patriots in 2021, Jones looked like someone who would be a capable starter for the long haul. But after leading the Patriots to the playoffs that year, his stock plummeted over the next few seasons. Jones struggled enough from 2022-23 for the Patriots to deal him to the Jaguars for a sixth-rounder. He continued to play poorly subbing for an injured Trevor Lawrence in 2024, which came as bad timing ahead of a trip to free agency. Jones wound up settling for the 49ers’ two-year, $7MM offer to serve as Purdy’s backup.

There was little hope Jones would rebuild his stock to a major degree with the 49ers, but Purdy’s toe and shoulder injuries opened the door. Jones kept the Purdy-less 49ers’ season afloat by helping them to a 5-3 record. Along the way, the 27-year-old tossed 13 touchdowns against six picks and set career highs in completion percentage (69.6), yards per attempt (7.4) and passer rating (97.4). With Jones’ assistance, the club overcame injuries to Purdy and several other notable contributors to go 12-5 and earn a playoff berth.

A healthy Purdy is once again entrenched as the 49ers’ starter heading into this season. Expectations are that Jones will at least begin 2026 in San Francisco, but there are already rumblings that he could emerge as an in-season trade candidate.

“I mean, the (Nov. 3) trade deadline is not until a little bit through the season,” Jones told Siciliano. “I try not to keep up with it. I really just want to keep getting better … My feet are in San Francisco, and I like it a lot.”

Regardless of whether a trade comes together by the deadline, it seems likely Jones will be part of a different organization a year from now. Assuming Jones returns to the open market next offseason, at least one team could offer him a starting opportunity.