Vikings Reportedly Backing Away from Mac Jones Pursuit

Minnesota looking to find cheaper QB options in free agency and the draft

Mar. 3, 2026 at 3:50pm

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The Minnesota Vikings were reportedly interested in trading for San Francisco 49ers backup quarterback Mac Jones, but that rumor appears to have hit a snag. According to reports, the Vikings are now more likely to pursue cheaper free agent and draft options to address their quarterback needs rather than trading away valuable draft capital for Jones.

Why it matters

The Vikings are in need of a competent veteran quarterback, but trading for Jones would likely require giving up a high draft pick, which the team is hesitant to do as they look to build through the draft. Minnesota is hoping to find a more cost-effective solution at the position.

The details

The reports suggest the Vikings were interested in Jones, who won five games as the 49ers' backup last season, but that interest has cooled as Minnesota explores other options like Anthony Richardson, Kyler Murray, Geno Smith, Kirk Cousins, and Tua Tagovailoa - players who could potentially be acquired without losing draft picks. The team is also considering moving on from high-priced veterans like DT Javon Hargrave and RB Aaron Jones in order to free up cap space for a new QB.

  • On March 3, 2026, reports surfaced that the Vikings' interest in trading for Mac Jones had hit a snag.

The players

Mac Jones

A 27-year-old backup quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers who started five games last season and is under contract for $3.25 million in 2026.

Javon Hargrave

A veteran defensive tackle currently on the Vikings' roster who the team may look to trade or release in order to free up cap space.

Aaron Jones

A veteran running back currently on the Vikings' roster who the team may look to trade or release in order to free up cap space.

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What they’re saying

“The Minnesota Vikings were supposedly very interested, and there were a few teams that also needed someone like Jones, who won five games for the 49ers off the bench last season and is still only 27 years old. But a lot of those openings, it turns out, weren't so open.”

— Matt Barrows and Vic Tafur, Reporters

“With plenty of free-agent options currently available — and with more coming as cuts are made — quarterback-needy teams are far more likely to consider players who could be acquired without losing a draft pick […] Jones is due to make only $3.25 million in 2026. If someone trades for him with the idea of making him the starter or a competitor for the job, he may want a raise. That adds another wrinkle to the situation.”

— Mike Florio, Reporter

What’s next

The Vikings will continue to explore free agent and draft options to address their quarterback needs, with the possibility of trading or releasing high-priced veterans like Javon Hargrave and Aaron Jones to free up cap space.

The takeaway

The Vikings' reported interest in trading for Mac Jones appears to have cooled, as the team looks to find a more cost-effective solution at quarterback without sacrificing valuable draft capital. This reflects the team's desire to build through the draft and avoid overpaying for a veteran stopgap option.