San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones. Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

Mac Jones playing well is a win-win scenario for the 49ers

By Bryan Eglesia | Last updated Sep 25, 2025 4:51 PM ET

The San Francisco 49ers are undefeated through three weeks despite starting quarterback Brock Purdy missing two games due to a turf toe injury. Backup Mac Jones playing well in his absence is a win-win for the organization.

The job of a backup quarterback in the NFL is to put their team in a position to win games when called upon, and Jones has exceeded expectations. In two games, he has completed 66% of his passes with 563 passing yards and four touchdowns with only one fumble and one interception.

Throughout all the adversity San Francisco has faced through three weeks, being without key players like Purdy, George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk, Jones has stayed calm under pressure, showing he can still be a viable quarterback in the league.

Purdy nears his return

In a league filled with mediocre quarterback play, a slew of injuries to starting quarterbacks plus the news of Purdy's possible return to action, the organization should keep an eye on Jones' trade value.

From @GMFB: #49ers QB Brock Purdy nears a return; The #Eagles will be without LB Nolan Smith for more than a month; #Bucs WR Chris Godwin could play this week. pic.twitter.com/37JcQDENhI
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 25, 2025

The 49ers have their franchise quarterback in Purdy, signing him to a five-year, $265M contract in May. Purdy could return to game action as soon as Sunday. With Jones performing well in his absence, he could be a potential trade target for teams looking for a quarterback at the trade deadline. By his productive performance, the team knows they have a quarterback who can win them games, along with a tantalizing trade piece at the trade deadline, resulting in a win-win scenario for San Francisco.

The NFL trade deadline is on Nov. 4, and a lot can happen between now and the deadline. The organization should look to see what it can get in return for the 27-year-old quarterback.

He has played more than 50 games in the NFL, and is under team control for another year, making him more desirable for a team looking to add a young quarterback who has experience instead of an older backup past his prime..

A few teams could become desperate at the deadline in need of a competent quarterback to fill a void. While having Purdy as their franchise quarterback, the 49ers should look to take advantage of a team's desperation to see what they could get in return for Jones at the trade deadline.

Bryan Eglesia

Bryan Egleisa is a content producer located in the Bay Area, California. As a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, he holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. He focuses on the Golden State Warriors & the NBA

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