The New England Patriots received a sixth-round pick when they traded Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars in March 2024. Nearly two years later, the former first-round selection reportedly carried a much higher trade value.
The Minnesota Vikings explored a deal for Jones before the November 10 NFL trade deadline, but the San Francisco 49ers set a steep price. The 49ers reportedly sought at least a second-round pick, along with additional draft compensation. Minnesota declined, and Jones remained in San Francisco.
## Vikings Turned Down San Francisco’s Asking Price
Minnesota contacted the 49ers while looking for quarterback help after a 23-6 loss to the Buffalo Bills on November 9. San Francisco general manager John Lynch made clear that Jones would not come cheaply.
A second-round pick plus a selection in the middle rounds might have been enough to complete the deal. The teams had discussed Jones before, and San Francisco had reportedly made a similar demand in earlier talks.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan reportedly sees Jones as a potential franchise quarterback and was unwilling to move him without an exceptional offer. Instead, the Vikings acquired Kirk Cousins from the Las Vegas Raiders for a 2027 third-round pick—a lower draft cost than San Francisco’s reported asking price for its backup.
## Jones Rebuilt His Value After Leaving New England
The reported trade demand contrasts with Jones’ exit from the Patriots. New England selected him 15th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. He guided the team to a playoff appearance in his rookie season and earned Pro Bowl honors, but his production declined over the next two years.
Jones threw 10 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 2023 before losing his starting job. The Patriots traded him to Jacksonville the following March, receiving a sixth-round pick in return.
His career improved in San Francisco. Jones started eight games in 2025 while Brock Purdy was sidelined by injuries, going 5-3 and throwing for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions. A 97.4 passer rating helped strengthen his standing around the league.
Jones returned to a backup role behind Purdy this season, and his contract is set to expire after the 2026 campaign. Even so, the 49ers reportedly showed little interest in letting him go for less than a substantial return. The Vikings passed, but the gap between New England’s sixth-round return and San Francisco’s reported demand reflects how Jones’ trade value had changed since his departure from the Patriots.
