The San Francisco 49ers have spent the first month of the season trying to stay atop the NFC West despite a litany of significant injuries.
Currently at 4-1, the Niners have managed to win despite starting quarterback Brock Purdy battling a toe issue that has already forced backup Mac Jones into action. Jones has been good enough to keep the offense on schedule, with some wondering if he’s worthy of taking over starting QB duties.
In Thursday’s game vs. the Rams, Jones completed 33 of 49 passes for 342 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions, with a passer rating of 100.9. Over the 2025 season so far, Jones has thrown for over 900 yards in three starts, with six touchdowns and an interception, and a QBR of 65.3. That QBR is higher than that of Baker Mayfield and Jordan Love, and he has a better passer rating than Justin Herbert and Patrick Mahomes.
Considering how well Jones has been playing coupled with several other teams’ need for a capable starter, Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports floated the following trade: The Niners would ship Jones to the New York Jets in exchange for veteran QB Tyrod Taylor and a 2026 fourth-round pick.
Let’s discuss.
CBS Sports’ Trade Proposal Swaps 49ers QB Mac Jones for Tyrod Taylor, Draft Pick
GettyCBS Sports put together a trade swap that would send Mac Jones to the Jets for Tyrod Taylor and draft capital.
Here’s the thing: the uncertainty in San Francisco’s quarterback room with Purdy week-to-week means Kyle Shanahan and company need Jones. Behind him, there’s Adrian Martinez.
“It’s hard to envision a scenario where Shanahan lets Jones escape his grasp as the team’s top insurance policy under center,” Benjaming admits, adding:
“In fact, it might not be much longer before some reasonable minds begin to suggest Jones actually warrants an extended opportunity as the top signal-caller, given Purdy’s injury and turnover woes in the last year-plus. But Jones’ efficient run as the emergency starter will almost assuredly have other teams sniffing around his availability, especially with the NFL’s in-season trade deadline looming.”
That’s true. But Jones is inexpensive, already acclimated to the offense — and most importantly, he’s winning games. Taylor is older, with more miles and a longer injury history. It wouldn’t make a ton of sense for the Niners to make this move for myriad reasons.
The 49ers Want to Keep Jones Aboard, Just in Case
That’s not to say Taylor’s not an appealing backup. His career interception rate sits around 1.7%, and he’s comfortable living within timing concepts and layered reads — exactly what Shanahan builds around. A Pro Bowler in 2015 and a two-time 3,000-yard passer, Taylor has played in 96 games, starting 59 over his 15 years in the NFL.
“At 27 years old, Jones arguably offers an equal amount of long-term upside, plus a more polished reputation as a passer,” Benjamin also noted. “We doubt San Francisco would prefer the aging Taylor as a backup for Purdy, but if this swap also meant adding a fourth-rounder for future restocking other key spots, like the offensive or defensive lines, it’s not so hard of a pill to swallow.”
Eh, we disagree. Unless the Jets were to dramatically improve the hypothetical offer or Purdy were to snap back to 100%, maybe something like this would be an option.
But as it stands, San Francisco should hold its quarterback room together and keep the team’s current rhythm going.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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