Though the San Francisco 49ers just finished resting through their bye week, they still might have benefitied greatly from the movements around the NFL in Week 8. Most notably, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson injured his thumb and immediately hit IR after the game. He is expected to have surgery, and missing the rest of the season isn't off the table.
Baltimore, currently on the playoff bubble at 4-4, will likely be in the market for a quarterback, and the 49ers have a clear solution for them. They could use backup QB Mac Jones as leverage to fix a hole that has plagued them over the past few weeks.
GM John Lynch and company have long been hunting for a potential suitor for Jones, but to no avail. Now, they may have their best opportunity yet. With a wide receiver room marked by age and injuries, the Niners would be foolish not to see what Baltimore is willing to pay for the signal caller.
Ravens have something the 49ers need in return for Mac Jones
The Ravens are in dire need of competent quarterbacking, and they have a piece they could send to San Francisco in return.
Wide receiver Rashod Bateman has been an afterthought for much of the past two seasons, as he's taken a back seat to the up-and-coming Zay Flowers in the Baltimore offense. That being said, Bateman is still a certified deep threat with the capability of spacing out the field, evidenced by his impressive 15.2 yards per catch in 2026.
His speed on the outside is exactly what the 49ers have been lacking with the absences of De'Zhaun Stribling and Demarcus Robinson. Both Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel are returning from injury soon, but neither of them possesses the ability to burn opposing secondaries. Evans is a master at winning one-on-one matchups, and Deebo excels at working in space underneath.
49ers and Ravens can mutually benefit each other with obvious trade candidates
The presence of Bateman would alleviate pressure off the other two pass catchers. His vertical ability would force opposing defenses to respect the homerun play, allowing other skill players to do what they do best.
If the 49ers were to swap Mac Jones for Rashod Bateman and a draft asset or two, it would be the ideal "I'll scratch your back, you scratch mine" situation. The 26-year-old veteran fits the mold that Kyle Shanahan looks for in a mid-season acquisition. He is cheap, he has experience, and the 49ers would be able to keep him around for more than half a season.
Though the trade is unlikely, the Ravens are desperate, and the 49ers could take advantage of their need and, in turn, shore up a need of their own.
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