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San Francisco 49ers GM John Lynch reiterated the organization’s stance on backup quarterback Mac Jones, who will draw interest around the league following his impressive 2025 season. “We’re really happy with what he gives us,” Lynch said, while saying it would take a considerable offer to pry the former New England and Jacksonville quarterback from Santa Clara.
Reading between the lines, the team won’t give him away for nothing, and competing teams will have to step up their offers for the quarterback.
Is there something to learn from past quarterback trades for the 49ers, and what to expect in return for Jones? Let’s recap some trades from recent history.
Geno Smith to Las Vegas
Last season, Seattle decided to move the 34-year-old quarterback to Las Vegas and reunite him with Pete Carroll. Now, Smith was coming off his best football in the NFL, and you can’t underestimate how awful the Raiders are run. Nonetheless, the Seahawks fetched a third-round pick within the top 100 for Smith. That’s good business for a mid-30 quarterback who finally found success in the league.
Carson Wentz to Indianapolis from Philadelphia
At one point, Wentz was an MVP candidate. Injuries robbed him of time, and his play regressed. In 2021, Indianapolis came calling for the 28-year-old and sent a 2021 third-rounder and a conditional 2022, which turned into a first-round pick.
That’s a lot for a player you were hoping to revitalize.
Sam Darnold to Carolina from New York
In 2021, Darnold was still 23 years old, but at the time, many believed his time in the league would be as a backup or journeyman quarterback. Carolina packaged a 2021 sixth-round pick and a 2022 second and fourth-round pick. Darnold would eventually walk for San Francisco, then Minnesota, before becoming a Super Bowl champion with Seattle.
Jimmy Garoppolo to San Francisco
Yes, this one should be looked at. Garoppolo had limited time as a starter, but won all his starts in New England. The sample size was small, but that didn’t stop the 49ers from sending a 2018 second-round pick for the Patriots’ backup. We know the rest of the story for Garoppolo, who would end up winning multiple playoff games and a ton of regular-season games under Kyle Shanahan.
It’s not crazy for the 49ers to set their sights on a second-round pick with hopes of at least landing a third-round pick for Jones. Just need the right team and right situation. Minnesota should be on line one.