49ers Unlikely to Trade QB Mac Jones During NFL Draft

The former first-round pick is expected to remain in San Francisco as Brock Purdy's backup.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 11:18am by

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting an abstract football game, with sharp geometric shapes in the 49ers' colors of red, gold, and white.The 49ers' decision to retain backup quarterback Mac Jones reflects their commitment to building depth at the position.San Francisco Today

The San Francisco 49ers have no plans to trade quarterback Mac Jones during the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Jones, a former first-round pick, is set to serve as the backup to Brock Purdy this upcoming season after filling in for the injured Purdy last year.

Why it matters

Jones has shown he can be a capable starting quarterback in the NFL, but the 49ers appear committed to keeping him as insurance behind Purdy, who emerged as their starter late last season. Trading Jones could have netted the 49ers valuable draft capital, but they seem unwilling to part with the young QB.

The details

When the offseason began, Jones was often mentioned as a potential trade target for quarterback-needy teams. However, the 49ers quickly shut down those rumors, stating they had no interest in dealing Jones. That stance has not changed, with Schefter reporting the 49ers are not expected to trade Jones during the upcoming draft.

  • The 49ers shut down trade rumors about Jones in March 2026.
  • Jones is expected to remain with the 49ers as Brock Purdy's backup for the 2026 NFL season.

The players

Mac Jones

A quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers who is set to back up Brock Purdy in the 2026 season.

Brock Purdy

The starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, who took over the role late in the 2025 season.

Kyle Shanahan

The head coach of the San Francisco 49ers.

Todd Monken

The head coach of the Cleveland Browns.

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What they’re saying

“I would just tell Kyle to cut him. And then we'll see what the market is.”

— Todd Monken, Cleveland Browns Head Coach

The takeaway

The 49ers' decision to hold onto Mac Jones as Brock Purdy's backup shows their confidence in the young quarterback and their belief that he can contribute to the team's success, even if he is not the starter. This move also indicates the 49ers' commitment to building depth at the quarterback position.