It’s only Week 2 of the 2026 NFL season, but some teams are already looking desperate enough to make season-saving trades, especially at quarterback. Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox believes two NFC teams, the Atlanta Falcons and the Minnesota Vikings, are eyeing the San Francisco 49ers’ top backup, Mac Jones, who’s just sitting on the bench.
The Falcons’ QB Room Is Collapsing
The situation in Atlanta is grim. The Falcons’ quarterback room is absolutely decimated, with both Michael Penix and Tua Tagovailoa out with injuries. To make matters worse, the offense looked abysmal with Cooper Rush under center, leading to an 0-1 start. For Atlanta, trading for an experienced quarterback like Jones isn’t just an option; it could be the only thing that saves their season right now. They need a proven arm, and they need it yesterday.
Minnesota’s Stability Search and Jones’ Price Tag
The Vikings are in a slightly different spot, but their need is just as real. They snagged a win in Week 1, thanks to Carson Wentz stepping up after Kyler Murray suffered a concussion. However, leaning on the inconsistent Wentz for the long haul, or simply hoping for a “miraculous comeback” from Murray, isn’t exactly a stable plan. They want more consistency at the position, and Jones brings that. The catch, though, is his price. The 49ers reportedly wanted at least a second-round pick for him this past offseason. That’s a steep ask, but Jones did finish last season with a 5-3 record as a starter, completing 69.6 percent of his passes for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns, and only six interceptions. That’s real production.
The 49ers’ Dilemma: Super Bowl Dreams vs. Draft Capital
Now, the big question: Will the 49ers even budge? They have genuine Super Bowl aspirations in 2026, and moving such a competent backup quarterback seems counterintuitive to that goal. What if their starter goes down? But here’s the kicker: Jones is set to hit free agency in 2027. If San Francisco knows they’ll lose him this offseason anyway, recouping some draft capital makes a lot of sense. Knox suggested the 49ers might drop their asking price to a conditional second-round pick, which could be enough to finally get a deal done and push one of these desperate NFC teams over the edge.
This is Week 2, folks, and the quarterback market is already heating up. Will the 49ers stick to their guns, or will the looming free agency of Mac Jones push them to make a move? The Falcons are staring down a season-ender if they don’t act, and the Vikings are trying to solidify their future. Keep an eye on the wire; this could get wild.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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