49ers Reportedly Seeking 'Astronomical' Price for QB Mac Jones

San Francisco is driving a hard bargain on teams interested in trading for the backup quarterback.

Mar. 10, 2026 at 8:48pm by Ben Kaplan

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According to NFL insider Dianna Russini, the San Francisco 49ers have set an extremely high asking price for backup quarterback Mac Jones, who filled in admirably when starter Brock Purdy was injured last season. The 49ers are reportedly seeking a massive return, potentially a second-round draft pick, in any potential trade for Jones, leaving teams reluctant to meet their demands.

Why it matters

The 49ers' high asking price for Jones reflects the team's desire to hold onto a capable backup quarterback, especially given Purdy's injury history. However, the steep price tag may price out quarterback-needy teams and leave San Francisco with a difficult decision on Jones' future.

The details

The 49ers have repeatedly stated their intention to keep Jones for the 2026 season, but have also made it clear they will listen to trade offers for any of their players. Jones had a solid season filling in for the injured Purdy, steadying the 49ers' offense. San Francisco may be hoping to either keep Jones as insurance or potentially net a high draft pick in a trade, but their asking price has reportedly been "astronomical" and has turned off interested teams.

  • The NFL free agency period began in March 2026.

The players

Mac Jones

The San Francisco 49ers' backup quarterback who filled in admirably when starter Brock Purdy was injured last season.

Brock Purdy

The San Francisco 49ers' starting quarterback, who missed part of the 2025 regular season due to injury.

Kyle Shanahan

The head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, who has stated the team's desire to hold onto Mac Jones for the 2026 season.

John Lynch

The president of football operations and general manager of the San Francisco 49ers, who has also indicated the team will listen to trade offers for their players.

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What they’re saying

“As any player on our team, including myself and John [Lynch], you always listen to people and trade offers, but we're also not into getting rid of good players. So, I'd be very surprised if Mac wasn't around us next year.”

— Kyle Shanahan, Head Coach, San Francisco 49ers

What’s next

The 49ers will continue to field trade offers for Mac Jones, but their high asking price may limit potential suitors. The team's decision on Jones' future will likely depend on Brock Purdy's health and recovery heading into the 2026 season.

The takeaway

The 49ers' steep trade demands for backup quarterback Mac Jones reflect the team's desire to retain a capable insurance policy behind the injury-prone Brock Purdy. However, San Francisco's unwillingness to budge on their asking price may ultimately limit Jones' options and force the team to make a difficult decision on his future.