Mac Jones trade deadline rumors swirl
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The gist
49ers GM John Lynch said the team would have to be "really motivated" to trade backup QB Mac Jones before Tuesday's deadline.
Jones is a free agent this offseason, so his future in San Francisco is the crux.
Background
Mac Jones is the San Francisco 49ers' backup quarterback behind starter Brock Purdy, described in reports as one of the more competent backup quarterbacks in the NFL. Trade talk around him has circulated for a couple of years and has grown as quarterback injuries pile up around the league, with Minnesota, Philadelphia and Baltimore cited as teams that could use him. Jones is in the final year of his contract and will be a free agent this offseason.
How it unfolded
- Oct 11, 2026Mac Jones is mentioned as a trade candidate amid 49ers rumors ahead of a home game against the Arizona Cardinals.
- Oct 23, 2026The Athletic's big board of 50 potential trade candidates lists only one landing spot for Jones, the Philadelphia Eagles, who ruled Jalen Hurts out for the rest of the season due to blood clot issues.
- Nov 5, 202649ers GM John Lynch, on KNBR, says the team would have to be "really motivated" to move Jones before Tuesday's deadline.
- Nov 7, 2026NFL insider Tom Pelissero reports the 49ers "wouldn't move backup QB Mac Jones for anything less than a huge offer."
- Nov 9, 2026A report lists Jones among top names available at the deadline, saying the 49ers aren't trading him "for now" but could be swayed by an overwhelming proposal.
Key terms
- GM
- An executive with overall responsibility for managing a company's revenue, costs, and day-to-day operations.
- free agent
- A professional athlete who is not under contract with any team and is free to sign with another.
- NFL
- A journalist who reports inside news and analysis about the National Football League, a US professional American football league.
Source: Wikipedia
Who’s saying what
- Official
- 49ers GM John Lynch said the team would have to be "really motivated" to move Jones, adding "we're very comfortable with keeping Mac."
- Analysts
- NFL insider Tom Pelissero reported the 49ers wouldn't move Jones for anything less than a huge offer.
- Speculation
- Niner Noise proposed a trade sending Jones to the Eagles for Dallas Goedert and a pick, noting Jones will be a free agent this offseason.
Still unverified
Trade rumors around Jones are characterized as speculation; no deal has been reported.