‘Dream’ Mac Jones trade may be Kyle Shanahan’s nightmare

As the NFL trade deadline approaches on November 10, speculation about potential trades involving San Francisco 49ers backup quarterback Mac Jones abound. Jones, an experienced veteran with a cheap contract, could provide teams in need of quarterback assistance with a sense of optimism. However, the 49ers have shown no inclination to trade him.

Sports Illustrated's Conor Orr suggested a "dream" trade idea that would send Jones to the Philadelphia Eagles, a team that might be seeking a quarterback shakeup due to the instability of Tanner McKee and the uncertainty surrounding Jalen Hurts in 2027 following a blood clot incident. The 49ers would receive Jimmy Garoppolo as Brock Purdy's backup in this trade.

Jones's familiarity with the Kyle Shanahan offense makes him an easier fit for a new play-caller or as a partner for Mannion, who coached in the Shanahan-influenced Matt LaFleur system as quarterbacks coach for the Green Bay Packers. Although this trade would involve Garoppolo returning to his former team as a backup to Brock Purdy, the 49ers have legitimate title aspirations after starting the season on one of the league's longest winning streaks.

Shanahan's positive experience with Jones as a backup when Purdy was injured last season further strengthens the case for keeping him. Despite the potential benefits, there are three main reasons why this trade is more likely to be a nightmare scenario for San Francisco than the "dream" it's being portrayed as: 1. The 49ers have strong feelings for Jones as a backup.

San Francisco has been reluctant to part with Jones, who kept their playoff hopes alive despite Brock Purdy's injuries in 2025. He posted a 5-3 record in eight starts, throwing for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns, and six interceptions with a 69.6% completion rate. Reports suggest the 49ers may only be willing to part with a second-round pick for him.

2. Garoppolo would be a peculiar choice to replace Jones. Garoppolo, who played for the 49ers from 2017 to 2022 including a Super Bowl LIV run, was traded for Trey Lance. This move led to a series of strange circumstances and ultimately resulted in Purdy becoming the starter. Kyle Shanahan had previously expressed a desire to move on from Garoppolo, questioning how an older version of him would fare as a backup.

Moreover, Garoppolo's decision not to return to the Los Angeles Rams as a backup after failing to reach an agreement with the Arizona Cardinals makes him an unlikely candidate to come back to San Francisco in that role. 3. The 49ers would be aiding another NFC contender. The Philadelphia Eagles, while not currently contenders, could use Jones to reclaim the NFC East and make a playoff push this year.

Philadelphia boasts a solid roster and is simply in need of a quarterback upgrade. There is no incentive for the 49ers to assist Philadelphia, even if they received a valuable draft pick in return. In summary, while Orr presents the Mac Jones trade to the Eagles as a "dream" scenario, the 49ers' attachment to Jones, the potential complications with Garoppolo, and the lack of incentive to help Philadelphia all point towards this trade being more of a nightmare for San Francisco than a promising opportunity.