Kyle Madson, Niners WireThu, February 5, 2026 at 1:48 AM UTC·3 min readHow the San Francisco 49ers navigate their offseason in regards to backup quarterback Mac Jones will be a fascinating side plot in to follow over the next few months.
The 49ers know Jones' value after he went 5-3 across eight starts while starting signal caller Brock Purdy was sidelined by a toe injury. Jones also knows his value after his successful campaign as San Francisco's QB1 and it sounds like he may be ready to move on after signing a two-year deal in free agency last offseason.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementJones spoke with NFL Media's The Insiders at Radio Row in San Francisco and was initially asked about his future and the amount of teams that may be in need of his services next season. While he acknowledged how his time in San Francisco with head coach Kyle Shanahan helped him stabilize his career following a couple of rough seasons, he also expressed confidence in his ability to be a starting quarterback again.
"I started half the games and we did well," Jones said. "I signed a two-year deal in San Francisco, so my whole goal was to get back on track and get with Kyle. Just work with him and learn and 'get my PhD in football' is what I've been saying, because it's true. And if I have to do that again next year I'll be really excited. I feel like it's a good fit for me.
"Honestly it's a business. You know how this goes. I've proven that I can be a starter in multiple different spots. I have fifty-plus starts or whatever. So, I know how to do it, but it's also a business so I understand both sides of it."
NFL Media's Ian Rapoport specifically asked if Jones had surveyed the NFL's QB landscape to see if there's a team he'd like to go to. Jones didn't give specifics, but he also didn't fully sidestep the question.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"I think for me I just try to always be where my feet are," Jones said. "What I do know is you have to be in the right situation. That's definitely what I learned this year. Just being in the right offense with playmakers around you -- that's important. So any quarterback that's in free agency or could get traded or whatever your situation is, you want to go somewhere that fits and makes sense. At the end of the day that's what I want in San Francisco. We'll see what happens. I think it's good to be talked about. At the end of the day I just want to keep playing good ball."
It's understandable that Jones is a tough spot. His time with the 49ers was valuable, but it's also not a surprise the former top-15 pick is eager to get back to a place where he will definitely be the starting QB instead of backing up Brock Purdy.
Jones finished the 2025 season with a career-high 69.6 percent completion rate, 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions. His 4.5 percent TD rate was a career high, and his 2.1 percent INT rate was a career low.
The 49ers may be set on keeping Jones knowing they'll get a quality compensatory pick for him when he exits in free agency. On the other hand, Jones' desire to start and his strong effort in 2025 may entice the 49ers to move him if a team makes an offer that can help the 49ers improve their roster outside of Jones in 2026.
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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers trade rumors: QB Mac Jones addresses possible move
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