Mac Jones Still Viewed as In-Season Upgrade for QB-Needy Teams

The 49ers were never going to seriously entertain dealing Mac Jones this offseason, as team and league sources maintained to us throughout the winter. 

But there’s also nothing in his reworked contract with the 49ers that will preclude clubs from inquiring about him between now and the midseason trade deadline.

Jones is a more than competent starting quarterback and is cerebral and has matured from his early stint in New England, and 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan is famous for altering the trajectory of quarterback careers for the better. 

He is a valuable commodity to the 49ers and has more than filled in admirably when starter Brock Purdy has been injured.

But rival execs believe Jones could also end up being a luxury to the 49ers by the deadline. 

The NFC West is the toughest division in football, with Seattle primed to defend the Lombardi Trophy and the Rams building a super team in Los Angeles after trading for Hall of Fame pass rusher Myles Garrett and elite corner Trent McDuffie this offseason. 

Competition will be tougher than ever before, and the 49ers' defence had the best pass rush in the NFL a year ago, and it might not be nearly good enough entering this season, either.

More Pass Rush Trades Coming

Teams have been trading for pass rushers like never before in recent years, and the 49ers, despite some cap issues, have been identified to me by multiple general managers as a team they believe is primed to try to land one. 

Dealing Jones wouldn’t aid their cause from a cap standpoint, given his manageable salary (the 49ers added in some incentives that he frankly would be more likely to hit elsewhere if Purdy stays healthy).

What he could provide is additional draft capital that could be used as part of a package for a pass rusher. There’s always the potential that the team dealing the pass rusher could need a QB as well, though that seems remote.

“You think Kyle’s going to sit back and let his buddy (Rams coach Sean MvCay) have all the fun?” said one longtime personnel executive. 

“They’re going to have to get creative, too. The Rams keep raising the stakes… You have a backup QB who isn’t helping you win games, and somebody else wants him; it’s time to sell… Kyle will find another project to rehab. He always does.”