It sounds like 49ers may not trade Mac Jones anytime soon

Back in early February, it was thought that some team would happily trade for current San Francisco 49ers backup quarterback Mac Jones and name him its starter for at least the 2026 season. 

However, there has never been any indication that the 49ers have come close to parting ways with Jones. There's now more information regarding why that's the case. 

What interested teams have learned about Mac Jones

"A few teams have called the San Francisco 49ers about QB Mac Jones," NFL insider Dianna Russini of The Athletic shared on Tuesday. "But many interested around the league describe their price as 'astronomical.'"

Jones largely played well for the 49ers as he went 5-3 across eight starts during the 2025 regular season when Brock Purdy was sidelined with a toe injury. Purdy eventually returned to the lineup, and he is cemented atop the San Francisco depth chart heading into springtime workouts. 

That said, San Francisco has Jones under contract via the two-year deal he signed in March 2025. 49ers general manager John Lynch could have done Jones a solid by trading the 27-year-old for pennies on the dollar, but Lynch instead went in a different direction. 

Specifically, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reported back on March 2 that the 49ers' price tag for Jones was "higher than people might think. As in: More than just a second-round pick, which had been the buzz."

Is Mac Jones now out of options regarding a potential trade? 

Numerous reports have indicated that the Minnesota Vikings plan to sign Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray at some point after the new league year opens at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday. The Miami Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons and New York Jets are among the teams that could have pursued Jones but have since gone in different directions. 

Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers seem happy with the quarterback options on their roster as they wait to learn if 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers will return to serve as their starter for another season. 

In short, it appears that Jones may have to settle for once again being Purdy's primary backup unless a team loses a QB1 to an injury at some point over the next handful of months.