Sources: 49ers not planning to trade QB Mac Jones this offseason

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Despite continued speculation, the San Francisco 49ers have no plans to trade quarterback Mac Jones this offseason and have every intention of bringing him back as Brock Purdy’s backup, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Sunday.

With a quarterback landscape still uncertain, Jones has been a potential trade target this offseason for teams in need of a starter. But at least for now, the Niners have no plans to part ways with Jones, who is under contract for another year with a salary cap hit of $3.07 million.

Niners coach Kyle Shanahan said as much during his end-of-season press conference when asked about the Jones deal, although he also left the door open.

“Like any player on our team, including myself and [general manager] John [Lynch]you always listen to people and exchange offers,” Shanahan said Jan. 21. “But we also have no intention of getting rid of good players. So I’d be very surprised if Mac isn’t with us next year.”

After posting QBRs of 38.4, 37.5 and 36.6 in the previous three seasons split between the New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars, Jones bounced back by starting eight games for the 49ers in 2025.

Jones posted a 62.9 QBR (ninth in the NFL) and threw 13 touchdowns and six interceptions while averaging 268.9 passing yards in those eight starts in place of Purdy. The Niners went 5-3 and remained in the playoff mix with Jones under center until Purdy returned from the right big toe injury he suffered in Week 1.

In the process, Jones told ESPN in December that he regained his joy for the game in San Francisco after a rough few years, calling it “great.”

“It was so much fun to get the train back on the tracks, like I said, and that’s what I wanted to do,” Jones said on January 19. “[I] put a lot of good movies out there. In a way, I had two seasons in one. I had one season as a starter and one season as a substitute. So it was really good for me. I had a lot of fun and I can’t wait to see what happens next.”

From the Niners’ perspective, quarterback depth has been a particularly important issue. Although Purdy has been successful since taking over as starter in 2022, he has missed at least all or part of a game due to injury in every season except 2023.

Purdy tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right (throwing) elbow in the NFC Championship Game late in the 2022 season, missed two games in 2024 with shoulder and elbow injuries and missed eight games in 2025 with a toe issue.

After struggling without Purdy in 2024, the Niners got the kind of reliable quarterback insurance they previously lacked in the form of Jones.

“Mac made this place better,” Lynch said. “He’s been outstanding this season. He’s helped us tremendously and it’s been a really fun process to see him come in and the joy he’s been playing with. He has an infectious attitude that affects everyone on our team. It’s affected that quarterback room. … Like Kyle said, you always listen, but I know we’re a better football team with Mac Jones on our roster.”

For his part, Jones prepared for any off-season eventuality, whether it meant staying in San Francisco for another season or landing elsewhere. He provided certainty heading into the offseason.

“I believe I’m a starter in this league and I’m excited to continue to improve this offseason and see what happens,” Jones said.