Why a Mac Jones trade could still quietly make sense for the Jets

Among the ample number of quarterback options for the New York Jets this offseason, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones sticks out as one of the best.

Despite Kyle Shanahan's insistence that they won't trade their Brock Purdy insurance, in the same breath, he also said, "You always listen to people with trade offers," keeping the door cracked open on a potential trade.

But why should the Jets pursue Jones if he's going to cost them draft capital? Wouldn't they be better off trying to sign someone in free agency as opposed to sending out valuable assets?

Mac Jones may be one of the better QB optiosn for the Jets in 2026

The Athletic's Matt Barrows laid out several reasons why "the stars could be aligning" for a Jones trade this offseason, and each point makes him an attractive option for the quarterback-needy Jets.

Barrows notes that Jones was more than just a competent backup for the 49ers in 2025; he actually looked like a quarterback who could elevate those around him when he was starting in place of the injured Purdy.

In Week 5, the 49ers faced their division rival Los Angeles Rams on a Thursday night, missing multiple key players due to injury, such as Pro Bowl tight end George Kittle and their top three wide receivers in Brandon Aiyuk, Ricky Pearsall, and Jauan Jennings. Jones himself took a beating during the game and was hobbled heading into the NFC West showdown.

It didn't matter, though. The former Alabama star showed out on primetime, completing 33-of-49 pass attempts for 342 yards, two touchdowns, and zero turnovers, leading the 49ers to a 26-23 overtime victory.

Jones proved he doesn't need the perfect circumstances to win, and if you take a look at the Jets, you would be hard-pressed to call them the ideal situation for a prospective quarterback. If Jones can make it work with Kendrick Bourne as his top wide receiver, he could certainly do the same with Garrett Wilson.

Barrow also notes the attractiveness of acquiring a former 49ers quarterback. The last backup to leave Shanahan was Sam Darnold, who is coming off back-to-back 14-win seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks, and, oh by the way, is a Super Bowl champion.

Could Jones be the next former first-round quarterback to resurrect his career under Shanahan, only to go on and become a winner elsewhere? No one knows for sure, but everyone knows which tree to pluck from.

Finally, and specifically for the Jets, it's not the best year to need a quarterback in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. The only widely acknowledged pro-ready prospect seems to be Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, and you can essentially pencil him in as the Las Vegas Raiders' No. 1 pick.

With the Jets' options limited in the draft, a veteran bridge is their best course of action, and Jones is just as good as any of the other options out there already.

Jones could be the guy the Jets need to stabilize their quarterback room in 2026. A trade for Jones may be costly, but New York having league-average play under center should be considered priceless.