The San Francisco 49ers weren't budging on Mac Jones, even when the Minnesota Vikings came calling.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport, the Vikings reached out to San Francisco as part of their search for a quarterback ahead of the Nov. 10 trade deadline. General manager John Lynch's answer was clear: pay up or no deal.
When the Vikings called San Francisco as part of due diligence in their search for a quarterback, sources told ESPN that Niners general manager John Lynch informed Minnesota brass that it would take a second-round pick and more for Jones. Perhaps a second-rounder and a middle-round pick might have gotten a trade done.
Instead, because of the high cost associated with the veteran quarterback, the conversations ended
there and Jones remains a valued member of the 49ers.
That aligns with San Francisco's asking price from the offseason and its stance on Jones. He generated trade speculation for months, with quarterback-needy teams such as the Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles potentially looking for options. But the 49ers consistently showed little interest in moving him without substantial compensation.
"We'd have to be really motivated to move Mac," Lynch said on KNBR before the deadline.
The Vikings ended up trading a third for Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Jones went 5-3 as a starter last season while Brock Purdy dealt with injuries, helping San Francisco reach the playoffs despite significant roster attrition. He proved to be a capable replacement and gave the 49ers valuable insurance at the most important position on the field. Jones will be a free agent this offseason, now, and will likely look for a starting role in 2027.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers stood firm on Mac Jones' price when Vikings called
