The San Francisco 49ers 49ers reached a 3-0 start to the season after the walk-off win against the Arizona Cardinals at home.
But now, they have a lot of questions that need to be addressed.
We'll focus on the two big ones. First, will the Niners choose to trade backup quarterback Mac Jones with his value as high as it is after two solid starts in place of the injured Brock Purdy? And, what will San Francisco do now that Nick Bosa is done for the year with an ACL tear?
Well, the 49ers can answer both of these questions in a two birds, one stone trade.
And there are three possible destinations the Niners can pursue to get this done.
3 Mac Jones trade scenarios to help 49ers mitigate Nick Bosa loss
Scenario No. 1: Mac Jones to Dolphins for Jaelan Phillips
The 0-3 Miami Dolphins have been falling apart over the last few seasons. And a lot of it can be linked to Tua Tagovailoa's play at quarterback. When head coach Mike McDaniel was hired, he turned Tua into one of the better passers in the league. During Tua's first two seasons, he completed about 67 percent of his passes for 8,172 yards and 54 touchdowns to 22 interceptions.
But in the last two years, his play has regressed. Right now, he's sitting at a career-lows in overall PFF overall grade (52.9) and passing grade (55.3).
McDaniel runs a similar offense to what head coach Kyle Shanahan does in San Francisco. Jones would not only be an improvement to what Miami has at backup quarteback in Kyle Wilson, but he would be good competition for for Tua if the Dolphins start to look at different options. Jones would thrive in the Dolphins offense with their weapons, including former college teammate, Jaylen Waddle.
If this move were to happen, the 49ers could get edge Jaelan Phillips along with a future late-round pick. Phillips has taken some hits to his body over the last two years, but he's remained relatively a great pass-rushing specialist despite all of that. He has never had a pass-rushing PFF grade less than 65.2, which is a testament to what he can bring to San Francisco's defense.
And if there's anything defensive coordinator Robert Saleh knows what to do, it's how to get the most out of a pass-rusher of Phillips's talents.
Scenario No. 2: Mac Jones and some high picks to Jets for Quinnen Williams
It might be a lot to ask for in getting one of the league's premier interior pass-rushers. And Quinnen Williams could very well be off the market if the rebuilding New York Jets feel he is too valuable.
However, getting someone with perennial Pro Bowl-level talents and pair him back with Saleh is too good to gloss over.
Prior to Saleh being the Jets head coach, Williams had a pass-rushing grade of 57.7. Once Saleh came into the fray, the Alabama product never had a pass-rushing grade below 70.7. And Williams put together 30.5 sacks in the four full seasons with Saleh as the head coach. Williams being paired back up with San Francisco's defensive coordinator would be the reunion needed to make up for the void left by Bosa's injury.
If the trade were to happen, it would need to include some high draft picks along with Jones. He would be asked to go to a team where the quarterback position doesn't have an answer at this time, as both Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor have not given the Jets any wins so far this season.
Although the possibility of Jones going to the Jets doesn't provide an answer right away, the potential for some first-round picks would be enticing for Gang Green along with the value Jones has proven with the Niners.
Scenario No. 3: Mac Jones and draft picks to Bengals for Trey Hendrickson
Trey Hendrickson signed a one-year extension with the Cincinnati Bengals after a surreal offseason holdout. Hendrickson was wanting to be paid what he was worth after leading the league in sacks last season. And now, he could be testing the free-agent market by the end of the year. But, if he truly wanted to add more to his value, what better way than filling in for a former defensive player of the year, getting some playoff success, and possibly winning a title all before free agency? Then he would get paid what he's deserved.
Right now, the Bengals have invested a lot into their offense. Mainly with both of their top two receivers getting paid during the offseason. And if they want to get anything back on their investment, they should make sure they have a quarterback who can continue to get them the production they are demanding. Their backup, Jake Browning, hasn't filled the void left by starter Joe Burrow as he recovers with a serious toe injury.
This trade would come at a cost to the Niners with some picks being thrown in, likely a multitude of mid-round selections, at the very least.
But to sacrifice some picks to get one of the best pass-rushers to replace their premier name at the same position just makes too much sense to pass up.