Several issues plague the 2025 New York Jets, but quarterback play is arguably the biggest one.
The revolving door of Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor, and Brady Cook has been disappointing to say the least, and it’s clear the Jets are going to have to overhaul the position group this offseason.
Armed with multiple first-round picks over the next two years, it’s conceivable that New York will wind up with a rookie quarterback.
But even with the selection of a first-year trigger man, the Jets are going to need a veteran who can either start the season if the rookie isn’t ready or play in case of injury.
That’s why Heavy’s Max Dible has New York swinging a trade for San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones.
Jets-49ers Mac Jones Trade Proposal
In a trade that makes too much sense for both sides, the San Francisco 49ers ship their veteran backup to the New York Jets, including a swap of draft capital.
New York Jets receive: Mac Jones, 2026 fourth-round pick
San Francisco 49ers receive: 2026 second-round pick
“Mac Jones rehabbed his value with the 49ers and is under contract through next season on a two-year deal worth $8.4 million. He is only 27 years old and played well enough this season that there was some discussion about whether SF should keep Purdy sidelined and roll with Jones instead,” wrote Dible.
“With a 5-3 record and a nearly 70 percent completion rate, Jones has shown himself the kind of passer the Jets hoped they were getting when they drafted Zach Wilson and subsequently traded for Aaron Rodgers.”
“The Jets may be in position to draft a player like Dante Moore inside or near the top 5, but if they can’t or don’t want to move up, trading the No. 36 overall pick (currently) for Jones and the Niners No. 133 pick in the fourth round (currently No. 133) isn’t a bad alternative.”
Even if the Jets can come away from the 2026 NFL Draft with a young quarterback like Dante Moore or Ty Simpson, it would be smart for them to let the rookie sit behind a veteran, at least to start the season.
It’s a mistake they’ve made with their last two first-round quarterbacks, Sam Darnold and Zach Wilson, who likely would’ve benefited from a redshirt year.
Would the 49ers Part With Mac Jones?
Well-playing backup quarterbacks are a hot commodity in the NFL, and you may question the San Francisco 49ers cutting ties with a perfectly good veteran in Jones, especially given Brock Purdy’s injury history.
Well, when your head coach is Kyle Shanahan, the quarterback whisperer, you can bank on him developing a late-round draft pick into a capable backup.
Kurtis Rourke, the 49ers’ 2025 seventh-round pick, was just activated off the non-football injury list roughly a week ago, and already figures to be Shanahan’s next project.
With his expertise, San Francisco can cash in on Jones’ value, which is arguably at its highest since he won Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2021.
Of course, any trade will have to wait until the 2026 offseason rolls around.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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