During their end-of-season press conference, general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan gave every indication the San Francisco 49ers wouldn't be trading backup quarterback Mac Jones this offseason.
However, both Lynch and Shanahan have long stood by the notion of consistently trying to improve the roster in every way reasonably possible.
And that could include a pivot on Jones, who remains under contract with the Niners through 2026.
Jones, the 2021 first-round pick of the New England Patriots, resurrected his otherwise floundering career during his first season in San Francisco, helping the 49ers go 5-3 during an eight-start stretch when starting quarterback Brock Purdy was out with a turf-toe injury. As was the case with now-Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, who backed up Purdy in 2023 before having a breakout year with the Minnesota Vikings a year later, Jones appears to be following a similar path.
Of course, Purdy's injury history lends to the idea Jones sticks around for another season.
But, if the Niners opt to trade Jones to acquire more draft capital, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero might have subtly revealed the would-be asking price.
Tom Pelissero suggests 49ers would accept no less than 2nd-round pick for Mac Jones
Pelissero appeared on Minneapolis' KFAN 1003 recently to address rumors whether or not the Vikings would make a trade with San Francisco for Jones' services, especially in light of their own quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, struggling in his first year as a starter.
The league insider didn't rule out the 49ers looking to trade Jones this offseason, but Pelissero admitted it wouldn't be a cheap transaction.
"I don't know that the are taking a fourth-rounder or even a third for Mac Jones," Pelissero said.
Pelissero also added Jones would likely seek a contract extension as part of a trade, considering his current deal's expiration in 2027.
As such, it appears as if the Niners would command a hefty asking price to pry Jones away, perhaps a Round 2 pick, to make such a deal go through.
Depending how desperate quarterback-needy teams get this offseason, perhaps San Francisco gets that in exchange for the No. 2 quarterback.