The San Francisco 49ers look like they’ll be keeping Mac Jones for the 2026 NFL season. However, with the NFL Draft on the horizon in a couple of weeks, any team needing a QB could be making the Niners an offer for Jones.
With this QB class not being the strongest, teams could pivot if they miss out on a primary signal-caller target and trade for a known commodity. As a result, teams could test the 49ers‘ resolve when it comes to having a reliable backup QB who showed last season that he can start during Brock Purdy’s injury spell.
One team that could make sense is the Arizona Cardinals, who are trying to get out of the NFC West basement. On SI’s Donnie Druin writes that his trade idea would see the Cardinals sending a 2026 fourth-round pick that can turn into higher rounds based on incentives for Jones.
“We’ve covered this trade extensively and how it would make so much sense for the Cardinals, though a trade within the NFC West simply wouldn’t happen,” Druin wrote in his March 26 article.
“Arizona pivoted off Kyler Murray this offseason and as the dust settles, they’re currently left with Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew with Ty Simpson potentially pending in the draft.
“Yet in terms of cheap, valuable options on the market with experience under Mike LaFleur’s projected offense, not many players make more sense than Jones. The Cardinals, in reality, would have to pay eye-opening prices for this trade to come to fruition.”
49ers Have No Plans to Trade Mac Jones
The 49ers have said all offseason that they want Jones back in 2026. Moreover, in February, 49ers general manager Jon Lynch’s comments did not signal a change in that position.
“He’s really good for us, and we value that,” Lynch said. “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. As we saw this year, your franchise guy goes down, and it’s nice to have someone like that.”
Jones had a passer rating of 97.4 with 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns, and six interceptions in 11 games in 2025 when he had to fill in for the injured Purdy, per StatMuse.
Can a Team Entice the Niners to Trade Mac Jones?
Recently, ESPN NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky believes the 49ers can command a high asking price given Sam Darnold’s success.
“There’s going to be so many places that are going to want a starting-caliber quarterback,” Orlovsky said during a Feb. 4 appearance on KNBR. “We know the draft isn’t deep. I think the No. 1 free agent is more than likely Malik Willis.
“If you’re the 49ers and you have these teams calling you, are you going to maybe get a second-round pick for Mac, a third-round pick? I have no idea, but I’m not going to be shocked by it.”
It will be interesting to see if any team, like the Cardinals, decides to make a move for Jones and whether the 49ers have any chance in their stance as the draft approaches.
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