The San Francisco 49ers could be sellers at the NFL trade deadline if the right offer comes along, but one player they’ve consistently indicated they don’t want to move is backup quarterback Mac Jones.
However, if the 49ers are inclined to explore offers, Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay proposed a trade sending Jones to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for a conditional 2027 third-round pick. The deal would give Tampa Bay an experienced quarterback to help stabilize its offense while giving San Francisco an additional Day 2 selection for a player who is set to become a free agent after the season.
Kay believes the price could be worthwhile for the Buccaneers if Jones significantly improves their chances of making the playoffs.
Jones would be costly
and doesn't profile as a long-term option in Tampa due to his expiring contract and expected suitors this offseason, but shipping over a conditional pick (one that scales based on how the Bucs finish the season) for a vastly improved chance at making the playoffs could be worth the price of admission.
The problem for the Buccaneers is that a conditional third-round pick might not be enough to convince the 49ers to part with Jones.
Quarterback injuries have piled up around the NFL this season, increasing Jones’ value to teams that suddenly need a viable starter. San Francisco, meanwhile, has little reason to move him while Brock Purdy is playing at an MVP level but remains one injury away from leaving the lineup. NFL insiders Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler also previously reported that San Francisco would require significant draft capital to consider moving Jones, with Fowler suggesting it could take a Day 2 pick to get the conversation started. The 49ers reportedly sought a second-round pick for Jones this offseason before deciding to keep him.
San Francisco could also be weighing its own postseason aspirations. With injuries affecting the defensive line and receiver positions, Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch may have to make moves before the Nov. 10 trade deadline.
Jones, however, might be one player the 49ers would prefer to keep — unless someone gets desperate enough to meet their price.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: Hypothetical Mac Jones trade sends 49ers backup to 0-4 NFC team
