Latest Mac Jones trade pitch creates a fascinating Jets scenario

At this rate, the New York Jets will become the Island of Former AFC East Quarterbacks. 

Doesn’t have quite the same ring to it that Revis Island did. 

Not only did the Jets bring Geno Smith home this offseason, but they’re expected to roll with former Patriots fourth-rounder Bailey Zappe as their backup. 

If two isn’t enough, why not add a third to the mix?

Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox proposed the Jets pursue 49ers backup and ex-Patriots first-round pick Mac Jones in an extremely rare three-team trade. 

Incredibly, Jones would easily be the least notable player in that trade.  

Knox also addressed the nonstop speculation about the Jets using one of next year’s three first-round picks on a quarterback. 

“If a veteran like Jones could be New York's answer, those picks could be used to flesh out the roster instead,” Knox wrote. 

A Mac Jones-Jets trade would almost certainly never happen

Although three-team trades are incredibly rare in the NFL, they are allowed. 

Nonetheless, the thought of the 49ers even considering parting ways with Jones before Week 1 is difficult to imagine happening. 

If the 49ers wanted to maximize Jones’ value, then they’d have traded him earlier this offseason. 

Jones impressed during Brock Purdy’s absence last year, and he could be the next backup quarterback to unexpectedly revive his career. 

We’ve already seen Smith and Sam Darnold do it after several years on the bench. 

Jones is a pending free agent, and he only turns 28 in September. He’d have age and experience on his side next spring. 

Considering that the 49ers are still in a championship window, trading Jones and naming Kurtis Rourke the backup would be foolish. 

Such a move is also incredibly uncharacteristic for Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch. 

Both have been in San Francisco long enough to remember how Jimmy Garoppolo’s injuries derailed the 2018 and 2020 seasons. 

Every contender would kill for a backup quarterback capable of playing competently.

For what it’s worth, Jones would have made perfect sense had the Jets been able to acquire him instead of Smith. 

But this offseason went how it did, and perhaps the Jets can instead get their chance at Jones next offseason. 

As for the Metcalf and Aiyuk parts of that trade, good luck convincing Aiyuk to report to Pittsburgh. 

At least the Jets wouldn’t need to worry about handling a malcontent receiver. Let that be Pittsburgh’s problem.

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