San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan addressed offseason trade speculation surrounding quarterback Mac Jones on Wednesday. The 49ers held an end-of-the-year press conference following their Divisional Round playoff loss to Seattle.
Kyle Shanahan Pushes Back on Trade Talk Surrounding Mac Jones
49ers’ brass was asked about Jones during the press conference. Shanahan was asked directly whether Jones could be traded this offseason. He acknowledged that teams always listen when calls come in.
“You always listen to people with trade offers,” Shanahan said. “We’re also not into getting rid of good players, so I’d be very surprised if Mac wasn’t around us next year.”
Jones became a significant part of San Francisco’s season when Purdy missed time with a toe injury. The 49ers turned to Jones for an extended stretch and reestablished themselves as possibly one of the 32 best quarterbacks in football.
This season, Jones appeared in 11 games and made eight starts, completing 69.6 percent of his passes for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. San Francisco went 5-3 in those starts.
Our analytics support that notion. Jones ranked 9th in the PFSN NFL QB Impact (QBi) metrics for the 2025 season, placing him ahead of several full-time starters. Purdy finished ranked first in QBi, a testament to the 49ers’ system. But still, Jones is ranked higher than the likes of Joe Burrow, Jalen Hurts, and Lamar Jackson.
Kyle Shanahan was askd if Mac Jones will be traded during the offseason:
“You also listen to people with trade offers, but we’re also not into getting rid of good football players. So I would be very surprised if Mac wasn’t around us next year.” pic.twitter.com/mre9eFjuX9
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) January 21, 2026
Jones is under contract for the 2026 season, so any move would have to come via trade or release. He won’t get cut, which is why trade speculation has lingered. Teams without a clear answer at quarterback tend to check in on players with starting experience, and Jones fits that profile.
Inside the building, the value is straightforward. The 49ers have spent the last few seasons dealing with injuries at quarterback, often at the worst possible times. Having a backup who can step in without changing how the offense operates has become a priority.
Jones’ career has already included several stops. He took over as Alabama’s starter in 2020 and led one of the most productive offenses in school history before winning the Davey O’Brien Award.
The New England Patriots selected him 15th overall in 2021, later trading him to Jacksonville. After the Jaguars declined his fifth-year option, Jones signed a two-year deal with San Francisco in March.
Teams will continue to call, but Shanahan’s comments left little ambiguity. Jones is not being shopped, and the expectation inside the organization is that he remains part of the plan heading into next season.
Every team has a price point where they will part with a player. The 49ers just set Jones’ market value relatively high.
