49ers sending clear message about Mac Jones trade stance

The San Francisco 49ers appear open to trading quarterback Mac Jones — but it will cost you.

There has been significant speculation surrounding the backup signal-caller's future, particularly during the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, where many expected quarterback-needy teams to explore a potential deal.

However, indications suggest Jones' market may not be as strong as some anticipated.

"Though Jones was very sharp last season, completing 70 percent of his passes in eight starts, there are still some skeptics," Matt Barrows and Vic Tafur wrote for The Athletic.

Another factor potentially cooling trade interest is the 49ers' reported asking price. Some around the league believed a second- or even third-round draft pick might be enough to acquire Jones. According to recent reporting, that may not be the case.

The Athletic's New York Jets reporter Zack Rosenblatt recently addressed the possibility of the Jets pursuing Jones and noted that interested teams might view San Francisco's expectations as unrealistic.

"I don't know if the Jets are interested in trading for Jones or not, but I do know his price tag is higher than people might think," Rosenblatt wrote this week. "As in: More than just a second-round pick, which had been the buzz. That's a high price to pay unless the Jets viewed him as a potential long-term solution."

That's a hefty price for a quarterback who, not long ago, was widely viewed as a potential first-round disappointment. However, Jones revitalized his career with the 49ers in 2025, starting eight games and helping keep the team in the playoff hunt while Brock Purdy recovered from injury.

Jones finished the season completing nearly 70 percent of his passes for 2,151 yards, with 13 touchdowns and six interceptions, demonstrating he can still be a capable NFL starter.

If the 49ers truly are seeking more than "just a second-round pick," it signals that the team has been telling the truth all along: it is not particularly eager to move the veteran quarterback. Instead, the asking price reflects how valuable Jones is as a reliable insurance policy behind Purdy.

"He's really good for us, and we value that," general manager John Lynch said at the NFL Scouting Combine. "And so, somebody would have to come with something fairly strong for us to consider (trading him). And then, I don't know what we do.

"Obviously, there's always something that would make you (do it), but I think we're a better team with him on it, and we just like having him around."

If the 49ers are waiting for someone to offer more than a second-round draft pick for Jones, he will likely remain with the team in 2026 — a scenario the fanbase would undoubtedly welcome.