As Week 2 approaches, the San Francisco 49ers prepare for a seemingly lopsided matchup against the Miami Dolphins. Quarterback Brock Purdy has already established himself as an early MVP candidate, and the entire team is riding high after their win against the Los Angeles Rams.
Their 1-0 start hasn't come without cost, though. In just one week in Australia, both Alfred Collins and Jake Tonges were lost for the season due to injury, and standout rookie De'Zhaun Stribling will reportedly miss close to 10 games. Because of their ever-diminishing depth, it might be in the 49ers' best interest to give backup quarterback Mac Jones a significant portion of the snaps in Week 2.
The once sought-after QB struggled to find his footing early in his career with the Patriots and Jaguars but settled in as Purdy's understudy last year. He threw 13 touchdowns to six interceptions and led the red and gold to five wins in his eight spot starts.
Mac Jones' tepid trade interest shouldn't deter 49ers from seeking roster improvement
During the offseason, it was rumored the Niners were looking to move Jones for a hefty sum. A potential trade made sense, given that Purdy would presumably start the year healthy, and the team could benefit from future draft capital. Unfortunately, nothing ever materialized, and Jones began the year on the 53-man roster.
Jones took the Sam Darnold route in 2025. The latter looked lost as a professional quarterback until he spent a year under Kyle Shanahan. His breakout year in Minnesota and his Super Bowl season in Seattle were nothing short of miraculous.
Jones looked equally rejuvenated in San Francisco last year, and many thought he could pull off the same kind of career revitalization that Darnold did before him. As of now, that dream is far from dead. With injuries mounting, the 49ers would benefit from revisiting the conversation.
Flipping Jones could help bolster depth, whether it's at tight end, wide receiver, or on the defensive line. Either way, they need talent elsewhere. Even if Jones doesn't bring back the haul they had once hoped for, he could still help ease the burden of the early-season injuries.
49ers have perfect opportunity to maximize Jones' trade value in Week 2
If San Francisco still wishes to move Jones, Week 2 against the Dolphins might be their best opportunity to showcase his skills. Shanahan's squad is a double-digit favorite, and the Dolphins just got blown out by the middling Raiders.
Obviously, Brock Purdy will start, but Jones could take reps in the second half and refresh teams' memories of what he can do on the field. If the game gets out of hand, Jones would be able to light up the box score in the second half.
As of now, there aren't many quarterback-needy teams. But signal callers get hurt every year, and an injury to the wrong one can completely derail a team's season. If that happens, Jones could be a tantalizing trade chip, especially if he plays on Sunday and rolls over a pitiful Dolphins' secondary. If the 49ers do end up trading him, they could benefit greatly, regardless of whether they receive draft picks or roster depth in return.
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