Mac Jones survived the early offseason rush, but he remains on the trade block as the 2026 NFL Draft approaches. Although unlikely, the San Francisco 49ers’ backup quarterback continues to be the team’s most likely trade candidate if it makes a move on draft night.
With multiple teams still in dire need of quarterback help, Jones cannot be ruled out of the conversation due to a shallow 2026 draft class, Matt Barrows of ‘The Athletic’ wrote. Barrows views the Arizona Cardinals as a team most likely to pursue a veteran like Jones if they cannot find a quick solution to their Jacoby Brissett situation.
“I know we’ve been beating this drum all offseason, but it still feels like Mac Jones could be traded,” Barrows wrote. “The Arizona Cardinals, for example, don’t even have a starting quarterback on hand for their offseason program (Jacoby Brissett is staying away because he wants starter-level money.) If they miss out on a top quarterback in the draft, would they be interested in a trade, or are they merely positioning themselves for a quarterback in the 2027 draft?”
The 49ers have repeatedly said they are not interested in trading Jones, but the possibility remains. Jones convinced many that he is still a starting-caliber quarterback in 2025.
The Cardinals recently released Kyler Murray with the intention of starting Brissett in 2026. Brissett, whose 2026 cap hit is just over $9 million, is now holding out for a pay raise to receive starter-level money, which Arizona is reportedly inclined to give him.
The Cardinals’ quarterback situation makes them a favorite to target Alabama’s Ty Simpson early on Day Two of the 2026 NFL Draft. Their decision will likely boil down to how confident first-year head coach Mike LaFleur feels in Brissett and Simpson as his inaugural signal-caller.
The post 49ers rumors: Insider keeps door open to Mac Jones trade despite recent buzz appeared first on ClutchPoints.
