The offseason has officially arrived, and with it comes speculation, trade chatter, and plenty of quarterback buzz around the league. As the NFL Scouting Combine approaches, the only time all 32 front offices are in one place, rumors will only intensify.
One name that could quietly (or not so quietly) begin circulating in league circles is Mac Jones. The San Francisco 49ers quarterback has shown flashes of high-level play and carries the kind of pedigree that will intrigue teams searching for competition, insurance, or even a potential reset under center.
Quarterback movement defines the NFL offseason, and the upcoming Combine will only amplify speculation. Jones may not be the flashiest name on the market, but he’s proven he can operate within structure, protect the football, and produce high-level stretches of play.
Minnesota Vikings
This feels like one of the most logical landing spots in the quarterback market.
The Minnesota Vikings still view J.J. McCarthy as their starter, but the keyword in Minnesota this offseason should be competition. McCarthy battled inconsistency this past year and posted a PFSN NFL QB Impact Score of 64.5, No. 37 in the league, and well below average. Despite that, the team finished 9-8, largely thanks to a dominant defense.
Jones could push McCarthy to his limits in training camp while also serving as valuable insurance given McCarthy’s injury history. And if Jones were to win the job outright, he has the experience and efficiency to elevate the Vikings back into NFC contention quickly.
The trade compensation wouldn’t be cheap. For a quarterback who would at minimum compete for a starting job, Minnesota might need to part with a second-round pick plus additional assets. That’s steep, but in what feels like a make-or-break year, it could be worth the gamble.
Pittsburgh Steelers
This scenario hinges heavily on what happens with Aaron Rodgers.
If Rodgers retires or isn’t brought back, the Pittsburgh Steelers could firmly enter the quarterback market. Even if he returns for another season, the Steelers may still seek a long-term insurance policy and eventual successor.
He could sit for a year if needed, learn the system, and eventually take over. And stylistically, he would fit nicely in new head coach Mike McCarthy’s offense, which leans on structure, timing, and smart decision-making rather than hero ball.
The Steelers’ identity also makes this attractive. Since 2014, their defense has never ranked outside the top 16 in the PFSN NFL Defensive Impact Grades, a testament to one of the most consistently dominant units in football. Pair Jones with an elite defense and a strong supporting cast, and he wouldn’t need to carry the franchise.
Pittsburgh is one of the winningest organizations in NFL history. Rebuilding isn’t in their vocabulary; retooling is. Acquiring Jones could allow them to remain competitive while quietly planning for the future.
Houston Texans
This might be the boldest option, but also one of the most fascinating.
Head coach DeMeco Ryans has built a defense that’s ready to contend now. The Houston Texans’ unit has been elite over the past two seasons, generating pressure at a high rate and finishing with a 38.4% sack percentage.
The bigger question is offensive consistency. The team ranks 23rd on the PFSN NFL Offense Impact metrics with a 70.9 score.
C.J. Stroud was sensational as a rookie, posting an 81.9 QBi, the top five in the league. But sustaining that level is the real challenge. If the Texans want to make the leap from very good to a true Super Bowl contender, internal competition could be valuable.
He quietly posted an 80.2 QB Impact score on the PFSN NFL QB Impact metrics in 2025, good for a top 10 in the NFL. Bringing him in wouldn’t necessarily mean replacing Stroud, but it would raise the standard in the quarterback room and create urgency.
With an elite defense, ascending roster, and playoff expectations, Houston adding Jones as either a challenger or high-level backup could be the type of aggressive move that pushes them over the top.
