49ers Not Planning Offseason Trade for Quarterback Mac Jones, Aim to Retain Him as Backup

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49ers Poised to Keep Mac Jones as Backup, Dismissing Trade Speculation

In a move that signals stability and a strategic approach to quarterback depth, the San Francisco 49ers are reportedly not planning to trade quarterback Mac Jones during the upcoming offseason. This decision, reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter citing sources, aims to quell ongoing speculation and solidify Jones's role as the primary backup to starter Brock Purdy. The franchise appears committed to retaining Jones, recognizing the significant value he brought to the team during the past season, particularly when called upon to fill in for an injured Purdy.

The landscape of the National Football League's quarterback market is notoriously fluid, with teams constantly evaluating their options and potential upgrades. Mac Jones, a former first-round pick, had been identified by some as a potential trade candidate for teams seeking a starting signal-caller. However, the 49ers' stance suggests they view Jones not as a player to be moved, but as a crucial asset for their roster. Jones is currently under contract for another year, with a manageable salary cap hit of $3.07 million, making his retention financially sensible.

Head Coach Kyle Shanahan has previously alluded to this commitment. During his end-of-season press conference on January 21st, when questioned about the possibility of trading Jones, Shanahan acknowledged the reality of listening to offers but emphasized the team's desire to keep valuable players. "As any player on our team, including myself and [general manager] John [Lynch], you always listen to people and trade offers," Shanahan stated. "But we're also not into getting rid of good players. So I'd be very surprised if Mac wasn't around us next year." This sentiment, coupled with the recent reports, strongly indicates that Jones is expected to remain with the 49ers.

Jones's journey to this point has been marked by significant fluctuations. After experiencing challenging seasons with the New England Patriots and the Jacksonville Jaguars, where his QBRs hovered in the high 30s, he found a resurgence in San Francisco. Starting eight games in 2023 (referred to as 2025 in the original text, likely a typo), Jones demonstrated a marked improvement. He posted a QBR of 62.9, ranking ninth in the NFL, and threw for 13 touchdowns against six interceptions. His average of 268.9 passing yards per game in those starts was a testament to his ability to effectively lead the offense. During his tenure as a starter, the 49ers compiled a respectable 5-3 record, keeping them competitive in the playoff race until Brock Purdy's return from a toe injury.

The impact of Jones's performance extended beyond statistics. He publicly expressed a renewed sense of enjoyment for the game while in San Francisco. In a December interview, Jones described the experience as "awesome," highlighting his ability to get his career "back on the tracks." He noted the unique situation of playing both a starter and backup role within the same season, which he found beneficial for his development and overall enthusiasm for football. "It was just so fun to get, as I say, the train back on the tracks and that's what I wanted to do," Jones remarked on January 19th. "[I] put a lot of good film out there. In a way, I had two seasons in one. I had a season as a starter kind of and a season as a backup. So it was really good for me. Had a lot of fun and excited for what's next."

From the 49ers' organizational perspective, securing reliable quarterback depth has become a paramount concern. While Brock Purdy has emerged as a highly successful starter since taking the helm in 2022, his availability has been a recurring issue. Purdy has missed at least a portion of a game due to injury in every season except for 2023. Notable instances include tearing his UCL in the NFC Championship Game at the close of the 2022 season, missing two games in 2024 with shoulder and elbow ailments, and being sidelined for eight contests in 2023 due to a significant toe injury. The team's struggles when Purdy was unavailable in previous seasons underscored the need for a capable backup.

Mac Jones provided precisely the kind of dependable insurance the 49ers had been seeking. General Manager John Lynch lauded Jones's contributions, stating, "Mac made this place better. He was outstanding this season. He picked us up in a huge way and it was a really fun process to watch him come in and the joy that he was playing with. He's got an infectious attitude that affects everybody on our team. It 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." Lynch's comments emphasize not only Jones's on-field performance but also his positive impact on team morale and the quarterback room dynamics.

While the 49ers are firm on their decision to keep Jones, the quarterback himself has acknowledged the inherent uncertainties of the NFL offseason. Jones has expressed his belief in his ability to be a starting quarterback in the league and is focused on continued improvement. "I do believe I'm a starter in this league and I'm excited for continuing to get better this offseason and see what happens," Jones stated. Regardless of his long-term aspirations, his immediate future appears to be in San Francisco, where he will continue to serve as a vital backup and mentor.

Ekhbary News Agency