The San Francisco 49ers enter Week 10 with the NFC's best 7-1 record and square off against the Dallas Cowboys. They look like serious Super Bowl contenders, and quarterback Brock Purdy has played at an MVP level. That led some teams to check in on backup Mac Jones.
And instead of moving him, the 49ers set their asking price high around Jones, making it clear teams would have to overpay if they wanted to land him.
"The San Francisco 49ers left no doubt how much they value quarterback Mac Jones. When the Vikings called San Francisco as part of due diligence in their search for a quarterback, sources told ESPN that Niners general manager John Lynch informed Minnesota brass that it would take a second-round pick and more for Jones. Perhaps a second-rounder and a middle-round pick might have gotten a trade done," ESPN's Adam Schefter wrote.
Schefter also added that head coach Kyle Shanahan views Jones as a "franchise-caliber quarterback" and the team would only trade him if they were forced to.
Although Jones is set to hit free agency in the offseason, the 49ers wanting a second-round pick and more for him shows how they view him inside the building. They have faith in the gunslinger, but that could also mean they view him as a long-term piece behind Purdy.
49ers' Mac Jones asking price could reveal their long-term plans
Purdy is the unquestioned franchise QB in the Bay and under contract through 2030, but everyone knows how important it is to have a stable QB2, and that's exactly what Jones provides.
During the 2025 season, Jones started in eight games for San Francisco, going 5-3 in that stretch. He completed 69 percent of his throws for 2,151 passing yards, 13 passing touchdowns, and six interceptions.
Jones showed that if the 49ers need him to fill in, not only could he do it, but he could excel in this offense. The NFL is a brutal sport, and you never know if or when your quarterback goes down with an injury.
That's why San Francisco holds Jones in high regard and wanted a second-rounder plus more. They are laser-focused on making the playoffs and having a deep run. Yet, you can't overlook the asking price they wanted.
49ers' reported Mac Jones price sends an intriguing message
From the outside looking in, this update makes it appear that they'd want to have Jones around beyond the 2026 season. When he hits free agency, it wouldn't be a shocker if the 49ers made him the highest-paid backup quarterback.
Marcus Mariota ($7 million), Davis Mills ($7 million), and Jameis Winston ($6.5 million) are among the highest-paid backup quarterbacks in the NFL. Considering that Purdy is getting $53 million a year, some people may not want to cough up more money for the position.
There's an argument that can be made there, but at the same time, the 49ers could give Jones a two-year deal in the range of $8-$10 million per year to keep him locked in and have continuity in that room going forward. They aren't hiding how much they value him, and this report confirms that.
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