The San Francisco 49ers were forced to start backup quarterback Mac Jones after Brock Purdy got hurt early in the year. But, it might’ve been a blessing in disguise.
Jones came in and played very well, and now, he’s potentially one of the hottest offseason trade candidates. Teams in need of a veteran quarterback could turn to Jones, just like the Indianapolis Colts did with Daniel Jones.
With Jones potentially on the trade block this offseason, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN named the Minnesota Vikings as a great landing spot for Jones, as he could replace a struggling JJ McCarthy.
Vikings emerge as suitor for 49ers’ Mac Jones to replace JJ McCarthy
“Two interesting names from the high-end QB2 realm are San Francisco’s Mac Jones and Houston’s Davis Mills.” Fowler writes. “… Jones has played his wya into real trade value for San Francisco, which might be able to parlay a Day 2 pick for him.”
Part of why Jones would be such a valuable trade asset for a team like the Vikings is that he’s under contract in 2026 on a very reasonable deal.
Minnesota would be able to spend a Day 2 pick, likely a third-rounder, to bring in Jones to add extra depth to their quarterback room and give them a quarterback to battle McCarthy in training camp.
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The Colts did something similar with Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones, and it worked great for them. Minnesota could look to replicate it, and Mac Jones would be a great choice to try such a strategy with.
In his eight starts this season for San Francisco, Jones threw for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns, and six interceptions while going 5-3 for the 49ers.
Minnesota hasn’t gotten what it had hoped from McCarthy this season, and acquiring a player like Jones would make a lot of sense.
While the 49ers lost some weeks with Purdy at quarterback, it has opened the door for Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch to land a quality return for a backup quarterback.
