Mac Jones is the latest NFL quarterback to enjoy something of a career revival. His performance for the San Francisco 49ers in relief of Brock Purdy in 2025 has put his name back into the “can he be a starter” conversation, and the 27-year-old might be one of the more valuable commodities on the offseason trade market in 2026.
Here are three teams that could be interested in calling the 49ers and offering draft picks for Mac Jones and his services:
Miami Dolphins
If Jones is destined to play the role of “stop gap” quarterback, a la Sam Darnold in Minnesota, then Miami might be the most logical destination. The recent news of the Dolphins benching Tua Tagovailoa has created another team with a possible need at quarterback in the coming months and years, though it is unknown when exactly they plan to make moves regarding their future at the position.
They’ll see if rookie Quinn Ewers shows any flashes over the final five games of 2025. But if he doesn’t the team could be looking to put a band-aid on the situation before going after bigger fish in 2026. That is where Mac Jones could come into play. The Dolphins still have some valuable pieces on their offense that could help Jones be successful, and he could even help Miami compete for a playoff spot if he plays like he did early in the current campaign.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints haven’t been able to truly invest in their quarterback situation, given their financial woes. But with Mac Jones signed to such an affordable contract, New Orleans may be in the running. They have been rumored in the past as a potential landing spot for quarterbacks needing a fresh start, but have ended up rolling with youngsters Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough to man the ship in 2025.
If they were to bring Jones in, it would likely be the end of the road for one of Rattler or Shough. Jones would be the probable starter, and could either let Shough develop or find another young prospect in 2027. If the Saints are looking for stability under center, Jones could be a project with upside, particularly if surrounded by quality receivers and a supportive coaching staff.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Geno Smith experiment has been a failure for the Raiders, and they’ll continue the quarterback search that started when they let Derek Carr go years ago. There are reports of the team looking to make a big splash, potentially going after a name like Kyler Murray, but a more affordable option that carries less of a long-term commitment could be the smarter move.
Even if the Raiders select a quarterback with their (presumed) top-5 pick in 2026, Mac Jones would make some sense. He could be a veteran presence that helps bridge the gap between what Las Vegas has now and what they’ll have in the future, and might help win a few games in the process. One issue would be the leaky offensive line, which wouldn’t bode well for Jones’ athletic limitations.
