The San Francisco 49ers are not prepared to trade quarterback Mac Jones without receiving significant draft compensation. Minnesota explored a possible deal while assessing its quarterback situation, but talks did not advance after the Vikings learned what San Francisco wanted in return.
Jones joined the 49ers in March 2025, signing a two-year contract worth $7 million. The team brought him in to serve as Brock Purdy’s primary backup after Josh Dobbs departed for the New England Patriots.
The Vikings’ interest reflected their effort to find a solution at quarterback. But San Francisco’s asking price proved too high for Minnesota, and the teams did not reach an agreement.
## San Francisco wanted a second-round pick and more
The 49ers sought a second-round draft pick along with additional compensation before they would consider moving Jones. A second-round selection paired with a pick in the middle rounds might have been enough to complete a trade, but Minnesota was unwilling to meet San Francisco’s terms.
As a result, discussions ended without a deal. The 49ers’ position made clear that they valued Jones as more than a backup who could be moved for a modest return.
That valuation followed a season in which Jones had an opportunity to play an important role. Purdy missed time in 2025 with a toe injury, and Jones stepped in as the starter for eight games. His performance gave San Francisco a clear picture of the help he could provide if its starting quarterback was unavailable.
## Jones delivered during Purdy’s absence
In those eight starts, Jones completed 69.6% of his passes for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions. He recorded a 97.4 passer rating.
Those results helped establish his value to the 49ers. Jones was able to take over for Purdy and provide the team with a capable starting option during the injury absence. That experience is relevant to San Francisco’s decision to set a substantial price in trade talks.
The 49ers had signed Jones specifically to serve as Purdy’s primary backup, and his 2025 starts demonstrated how that role could become more significant over the course of a season. Trading him would therefore mean giving up a quarterback who had already started several games for the team, rather than simply moving a player with no established experience in the offense.
San Francisco’s reported demand of a second-round pick plus additional draft compensation reflected that value. Minnesota, however, did not agree to the price, and the two teams moved on without completing a transaction.
## Vikings turned to Kirk Cousins
The Vikings eventually addressed their quarterback situation through a separate trade. They acquired Kirk Cousins from the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for a 2027 third-round pick.
That move gave Minnesota another option after its talks with San Francisco stalled. The potential Jones trade did not come together, but the Vikings were able to pursue a different quarterback through a deal with Las Vegas.
For the 49ers, keeping Jones meant retaining a backup with recent starting experience and productive numbers from his time filling in for Purdy. For Minnesota, the asking price was not acceptable, and the team chose another route. The outcome left Jones with San Francisco while the Vikings completed a separate transaction for Cousins.
