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ESPN Hypothetical Sends Mac Jones to Vikings, But 49ers’ Stance Clouds Speculation

Analysts are unpacking an ESPN outline even though no Jones-to-Minnesota talks are confirmed.

Overview

  • ESPN’s Bill Barnwell sketched a trade sending Mac Jones to Minnesota for a 2026 second-rounder plus conditional 2027 and 2028 picks, with San Francisco returning a 2027 third.
  • The conditions would escalate based on Jones’ starts in 2026 and whether he re-signs and starts in 2027, potentially netting the 49ers multiple Day 2 selections.
  • Reporting continues to note San Francisco’s reluctance to move Jones, whom it values as low-cost insurance behind Brock Purdy on a contract that runs through 2026.
  • Alec Lewis of The Athletic and others view Jones as a strong schematic fit to push J.J. McCarthy, while some coverage criticizes the proposed price for what could be QB room ‘insurance.’
  • Barnwell and Gregg Rosenthal also discussed a speculative J.J. McCarthy-for-Jones concept, with the view that San Francisco would likely reject a straight swap.