San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch isn’t budging on Mac Jones, even with quarterback injuries piling up across the league. Lynch has been super consistent in wanting an experienced backup, and Jones fits that bill perfectly. We’ve seen it before with guys like Jimmy Garoppolo, Sam Darnold, Josh Dobbs, and Josh Johnson all backing up the Niners’ starter. The new guy, Kurtis Rourke, doesn’t have that experience, which is a massive reason Lynch is playing hardball when it comes to dealing Jones. When asked about any calls regarding Jones during a KNBR appearance on Thursday, Lynch just shut it down with a firm, “I’m going to leave that alone.”
The QB Carnage Is Real
You can’t blame Lynch for being cautious, especially with the absolute carnage at quarterback these past couple of weeks. Injuries are hitting hard: Sam Darnold with a glute issue, Caleb Williams battling a hamstring, Jayden Daniels rocking a dislocated elbow, and Jaxson Dart out with an MCL sprain. Even guys like Michael Penix Jr. are just getting back from injury for the Falcons, whose starter Tua Tagovailoa had an oblique injury. It’s early enough in the season that every team thinks they’ve still got a shot, and some, like Atlanta and New York, have first-year head coaches with zero ties to their current QBs. This whole situation just screams “QB depth is everything.”
Bill Walsh Knew What Was Up
Despite all the chaos happening around the NFL in 2026, Lynch dropped some serious wisdom, referencing the 49ers quarterback room from the late 80s and early 90s. He said, “I think a lot of people see all of that and say, ‘Okay, there’s opportunity.’ It also tells you we’re very fortunate to have a guy like Brock, franchise quarterback. But then to have a guy like Mac, in the event, there’s no more important position in football.” Lynch literally brought up Bill Walsh, Joe Montana, Steve Young, and Steve Bono, saying Walsh was “onto something” with that kind of depth. It’s all about being “well insulated” if something goes sideways. He thinks it’s a “really special situation” to have Purdy, Jones, and Rourke on the roster.
So, the question isn’t *if* teams are calling, it’s what kind of crazy offer someone has to drop over the next month and a half to pry Jones away. He’s headed to free agency, but with the 2027 NFL Draft projected to be the best of the decade, a third-round pick would be a no-brainer. Even a fourth-rounder might do the trick, especially if Brock Purdy keeps playing at an MVP level. Lynch is in a “position of strength,” and he knows it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Niners Nation.
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