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This 49ers trade pitch would send Mac Jones to the Cardinals
The San Francisco 49ers managed to weather a storm of injuries to somehow find their way to the divisional round of the playoffs last season. A big reason for their success was the play of quarterback Mac Jones, who managed to keep the offense humming while making eight starts in relief of the injured Brock Purdy.
When he’s healthy, the Niners are obviously going to start Purdy, but Jones proved in 2025 that he can hold his own as a starting quarterback. As a result, teams have shown interest in trading for Jones, and San Fran is open to moving him. With that in mind, let’s check out a trade pitch that would send Jones to one of the 49ers’ division rivals, the Arizona Cardinals.
49ers Deal Mac Jones to Cardinals in New Trade Pitch
49ers receive: 2026 third-round pick (No. 65) and 2026 sixth-round pick (No. 183)
Cardinals receive: QB Mac Jones
After flaming out with the New England Patriots and struggling with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2024, Jones found his way to the 49ers in 2025 to work as Purdy’s backup. He was needed early and often, and when all was said and done, Jones put together some solid tape, with his numbers indicating that he’s capable of being a starter in the NFL (201/289, 2,151 YDS, 13 TD, 6 INT).
The Cardinals, on the other hand, are in search of a new starting quarterback after releasing Kyler Murray early this offseason. Arizona signed Gardner Minshew IV to compete with Jacoby Brissett for the starting job, but the team needs a younger quarterback with more upside to factor into the mix. At only 27 years old, there’s reason to believe that Jones still has untapped potential, which makes him an enticing trade target.
Reports indicate that San Fran’s asking price for Jones is mind-boggling (think a first-round pick), which has resulted in there being very little momentum in trade talks. As the 2026 NFL Draft draws near, the Niners will likely drop their asking price in order to facilitate a deal. Getting a high third-round pick from the Cardinals, in addition to a sixth rounder, could be seen as a good piece of business, considering the 49ers signed Jones on a cheap deal just last offseason.
Would the 49ers, Cardinals Be Interested in This Mac Jones Trade?
GettyMac Jones #10 of the San Francisco 49ers in action during the NFL 2025 game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on November 02, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Jones is a former first-round pick, so it’s clear that he has the talent needed to succeed in the NFL. Even when he was working with a depleted receiving corps in San Fran last season, Jones generally found a way to make things work. He isn’t the best quarterback in the league, but he could help a team like Arizona reemerge as a playoff contender immediately if things went according to plan.
The Cardinals don’t really have a plan at quarterback, and with there not really being a top-tier quarterback prospect in the 2026 draft, besides Fernando Mendoza, this isn’t the best year for the team to find its quarterback of the future. At the very least, Jones could be a bridge to that guy who also offers Arizona more upside than either Brissett or Minshew. San Fran isn’t getting a first-round pick from Jones, but if it does trade him, this feels like a solid return.
Owen Crisafulli Owen Crisafulli is a Breaking News Writer at Heavy. In addition to writing for Heavy, Owen works as a Content Producer for More Views Media. His work has also appeared on ClutchPoints, The Sporting News, Athlon Sports, Basketball Network, and FanSided, where he shared his insights on a variety of sports topics primarily surrounding the NFL, NBA, and MLB. More about Owen Crisafulli
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