Darnold’s career arc has drawn new attention to SF’s quarterback situation. He spent 2023 as a backup for the 49ers, then delivered back-to-back productive seasons with the Vikings in 2024 and again with the Seahawks in 2025, highlighting how a fresh environment can rekindle a career.
Mac Jones flashed as a potential QB1 when Brock Purdy was sidelined in 2025. In 11 regular-season games for the 49ers, Jones posted a passer rating of 97.4 with 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns, and six interceptions, according to StatMuse, and he remains under contract for next season, meaning any move would require a SF trade.
ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky on KNBR suggested the 49ers could command a high asking price for Jones given Darnold’s success. He indicated “there’s going to be so many places that are going to want a starting-caliber quarterback,” noted that the draft isn’t deep, and raised the possibility of a second- or third-round pick landing in San Francisco if another team calls.
Orlovsky also argued that the 49ers could use the return from a Jones trade to get younger or to fuel a bigger move, saying Jones’s camp will likely seek a fair parting, and the team may need to consider a deal now rather than later as roster ages and health concerns persist.
The possibility of a blockbuster offseason move has also surfaced in conversations around improving San Francisco’s pass rush. After recording only 20 sacks in 2025, former NFL player Shawne Merriman told NBC Sports Bay Area that the 49ers should pursue a “home-run trade” for a premier edge such as Myles Garrett or Maxx Crosby, while acknowledging concerns about Nick Bosa’s injury history.
As the story unfolds, the trade chatter surrounding Mac Jones remains tied to Sam Darnold’s trajectory and San Francisco’s evolving roster strategy. This analysis, originally published by Heavy Sports, frames Jones as a potential leverage point in a broader 49ers offseason landscape.
