49ers' Steep Price Tag Cools Vikings' Interest in QB Mac Jones

San Francisco reportedly wants a high draft pick in exchange for the backup quarterback, putting a potential deal out of reach for Minnesota.

Mar. 10, 2026 at 9:25pm

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The Minnesota Vikings' hopes of acquiring quarterback Mac Jones from the San Francisco 49ers appear to be fading, as the 49ers are reportedly demanding a steep price tag for the backup QB that the Vikings are unwilling to meet. With San Francisco said to be seeking at least a second-round draft pick in exchange for Jones, the Vikings, who have limited draft capital to work with, are unlikely to be able to strike a deal.

Why it matters

The Vikings have been searching for a long-term solution at quarterback, but their lack of draft picks makes it difficult to acquire a high-profile player like Jones, who has shown promise as a starter in the NFL. This development could force the Vikings to explore other options, such as re-signing Kirk Cousins or looking to the upcoming draft for a quarterback.

The details

According to reports, the 49ers have received interest from multiple teams in trading for Jones, but San Francisco's asking price is described as "astronomical." Some have speculated that the 49ers could demand a second-round pick in exchange for the 27-year-old quarterback, who had a strong season filling in for an injured Brock Purdy in 2025.

  • The 49ers' high trade demands for Jones have emerged over the last six weeks.

The players

Mac Jones

A 27-year-old quarterback who is currently the backup to Brock Purdy on the San Francisco 49ers roster.

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah

The general manager of the Minnesota Vikings, who has a history of trading away the team's second-round draft picks.

Kirk Cousins

The current starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings, who could potentially take on a "bridge" role with the team if they are unable to acquire a long-term solution at the position.

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What they’re saying

“The 49ers do not seem inclined to trade backup quarterback Mac Jones. That is, unless someone meets their steep asking price. San Francisco has received interest from multiple teams, but, as some interested parties around the league described to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, the 49ers' asking price for Jones is 'astronomical.'”

— Matt Wirth (NBC Sports Bay Area)

“If there were another Sam Darnold-esque storyline in the NFL waiting to happen, it would be with Jones. He's proven to be a solid starter, and in the right situation, he could be a star. While the 49ers should be trying to trade him to land something valuable in return to build a better contender, they also cannot part ways with Jones for so little.”

— Matt Sullivan (Sporting News)

What’s next

If quarterback Aaron Rodgers decides to retire, or if Kyler Murray chooses to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers instead of the Vikings, Minnesota could potentially revisit a trade for Mac Jones, but the team's limited draft capital may still make a deal difficult to complete.

The takeaway

The Vikings' pursuit of Mac Jones appears to have hit a roadblock, as the 49ers' steep trade demands have priced the backup quarterback out of Minnesota's reach. This development underscores the challenges the Vikings face in finding a long-term solution at the quarterback position, and could force the team to explore other options, such as re-signing Kirk Cousins or looking to the draft for a new signal-caller.