Over the past few weeks, it's become clear the San Francisco 49ers aren't overly eager to trade their No. 2 quarterback, Mac Jones.
Both general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan have effectively said as much in press conferences, and the reported market on Jones' trade value appears to have cooled off a lot as of late, thanks largely to a saturation of the quarterbacking market itself via additions of Tua Tagovailoa, Geno Smith and others to the pool.
With the start of the 2026 league new year just hours away, it doesn't appear as if Lynch and Shanahan are in reactionary mode; an aim to deal the signal-caller who filled in so admirably for an injured Brock Purdy over eight starts last season, going 5-3 in the process.
And, according to one prominent NFL insider, the Niners aren't looking to place a discount on their asking price for Jones anytime soon.
Dianna Russini describes 49ers' asking price for Mac Jones as 'astronomical'
Quarterback-needy teams are certainly calling San Francisco about Jones, who remains under contract through 2026.
But, according to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, Lynch isn't dropping from an awfully high sale price, and the exact word Russini used was "astronomical."
A few teams have called the San Francisco 49ers about QB Mac Jones, but many interested around the league describe their price as “astronomical.”
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) March 10, 2026
What exactly that means is anyone's guess, but it's probably safe to assume it's at least a first- or potentially multiple second- and/or third-round picks in the NFL Draft.
Jones, despite his career resurgence, certainly won't command that. At least not right now.
And therein is the question: Are the 49ers that intent on holding onto Jones as Purdy's go-to backup? They've openly said they'd like to. Or, just as possibly, the Niners are biding their time and waiting until after both the opening waves of free agency and April's draft to see which teams still need a viable option under center.
Then, at least according to some theories, San Francisco can get back to selling high.
Essentially, the 49ers aren't in a desperate position to trade Jones and don't mind retaining him, which means a suitor will probably have to overpay to land the quarterback.
And the Niners would probably be OK with that either.