ESPN’s Alec Lewis notes Jones’ pedigree and fit within Kyle Shanahan’s system, including his middle-of-the-field ball placement, injury resilience, and a modest $1 million guaranteed salary for 2026. However, the 49ers’ willingness to trade Jones remains the primary obstacle, given his current role as a QB2 behind Brock Purdy and the potential value the Niners could extract in a trade.
Minnesota could be asked to part with a high second- or even a third-round pick, depending on how negotiations unfold. Bill Barnwell proposed a trade scenario that would send Minnesota’s Day 2 pick to San Francisco, plus conditional picks in 2027 and 2028, with Jones moving to the Vikings and a third-round pick returning to San Francisco.
The package could hinge on Jones’ 2025 performance behind Niners starter McCarthy. If Jones serves as a short-term backup, the deal would center on Day 2 picks; if he becomes Minnesota’s long-term starter, the cost could escalate with additional third-round and compensatory considerations.
JJ McCarthy’s presence on Minnesota’s roster adds a layer of complexity for quarterbacks seeking Week 1 starts. The Vikings’ openness to moving off McCarthy—and the team’s offensive line and run game context—will influence whether a trade for Jones is plausible, according to Lewis.
The broader question remains: can Minnesota lure top quarterbacks to luxury destinations while navigating trade cost, team needs, and San Francisco’s leverage? The ongoing discussions underscore the in-play, high-stakes market for a quarterback upgrade in Minnesota.
