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Vikings Predicted to Trade for Another Reclamation QB
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- Vikings Predicted to Trade for Another Reclamation QB
Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Vikings will sign or trade for an extra quarterback this offseason; they've pretty much announced that already. And according to Fansided 's Christopher Kline, that man will be Mac Jones of the San Francisco 49ers .
A deal wouldn't be simple, given San Francisco 's valuation of Jones as elite insurance, but one website says the Vikings can pull it off.
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If the price is right, the 49ers may trade Jones to the highest bidder, and Fansided says the Vikings will win the sweepstakes.
Mac Jones May Fit the Lane for Vikings QB Shopping
He won't be easy to get, but Jones makes a lot of sense for the 2026 Vikings.
New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones walks toward the field during pregame warmups as the stadium fills ahead of kickoff on Dec 26, 2021, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. Jones entered the matchup facing heavy scrutiny amid a pivotal late-season stretch that tested New England's offensive direction and long-term quarterback outlook. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Mac Jones to MIN Presented in Predictions Article
Kline outlined the league's 10 splashiest trade candidates this week, complete with landing spot predictions. On Jones to Minnesota, he explained , 'Mac Jones and Kyle Shanahan finally lived their shared dream when the former first-round pick filled in for an injured Brock Purdy this season. Shanahan reportedly preferred Jones over Trey Lance back in the 2021 draft."
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"It seems like he was onto something, as Jones delivered impressive results in eight starts for the San Francisco 49ers. He completed 69.4 percent of his passes and threw 13 touchdowns to six interceptions. Purdy is still the 49ers' franchise QB, however, so it would make sense to cash in while Jones' stock is high."
Some 49ers fans actually appreciated Jones' production so much in eight starts that they said to leave Jones in the lineup and sideline Purdy.
"It's unclear how much the Minnesota Vikings trust J.J. McCarthy at this point. The decision to move on from Sam Darnold has aged like milk; even if Minnesota still believes in McCarthy long term, finding a competent bridge quarterback should be an offseason priority," Kline added.
"The Vikings' offense borrows liberally from Shanahan's scheme. Darnold went from backup duty in San Francisco to starter in Minnesota and blossomed. Perhaps Jones can follow a similar arc."
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Jones' Statistical Breakout in 2025
San Francisco already knows exactly who Jones is. He's currently one of the league's cleanest contingency plans behind Brock Purdy — a starter with some injury mileage. Moving Jones means exposing themselves if Purdy misses time again, and the 49ers felt firsthand how valuable that insurance was.
When Purdy went down in 2025, San Francisco didn't flounder. Jones stepped in as QB1 for eight games, kept Kyle Shanahan's offense on schedule, and went 5–3. The production held: 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns, six interceptions. The machine kept humming.
By the numbers, it wasn't smoke, either. Jones quietly finished ninth among NFL quarterbacks in EPA+CPOE , turning heads along the way. Over a full season sample, his output tracks closely with what Minnesota squeezed out of Darnold in 2024 — functional Top-10 quarterback play.
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That profile slides neatly into the Vikings' 2026 reality, at least in theory. Jones already understands the understudy role. If McCarthy beats him out at training camp, folks wouldn't expect disharmony. No ego shockwaves or friction. Jones has already done the same arrangement in San Francisco.
If Jones wins the job, that's where the intrigue begins. He turns 28 next season, squarely in his prime window, with evidence he can stabilize a playoff-caliber team over extended stretches. The unanswered segment sits in January. Will the 49ers trade Jones?
Not For Sale, Though?
Jones may not be for sale, however.
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Shanahan took questions at a press conference about Jones' trade availability and said , "You always listen to people with trade offers, but we're also not into getting rid of good players. So I'd be very surprised if Mac wasn't around us next year."
General manager John Lynch added, "You always listen, but I know we're a better football team with Mac Jones on our roster. Mac made this place better. He was outstanding this season. He picked us up in a huge way. When we needed him … he went in there and won us a lot of football games, and he kept us in this thing."
"He brings an energy to this team that's really cool. And he's good for Brock. That quarterback room is very stimulating."
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones stands on the field alongside New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers following the final whistle on Dec 15, 2024, at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville. The postgame scene captured a contrast in career arcs, with Jones navigating a transitional phase while Rodgers remained a defining presence in late-season NFL matchups. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images
Those remarks from San Francisco's brass seem to indicate that a deal for Jones must involve a 1st- or 2nd-Round pick. The Vikings probably wouldn't be in a hurry to move that sort of draft capital for Jones.
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Kyler Murray as the Other Big Trade Theory
Minnesota could also shoot for the stars with a quarterback trade by landing Murray, who may have played is last snap in Arizona a few months ago. Jacoby Brissett took over the QB1 in Arizona after Murray got hurt, and although Murray appeared to get healthier, the Cardinals simply rolled with Brissett. Couple that information with the fact that the Cardinals have visited the postseason just once in Murray's seven seasons, and it might be time for something new.
Theoretically, Minnesota could ship a 2nd-Rounder to Arizona and net Murray as the QB1.
Kline, on the other hand, predicted a New York Jets trade destination for Murray: "The Arizona Cardinals appear ready to move on from Kyler Murray, with Jacoby Brissett installed as their bridge QB and the 2027 draft looking mighty appealing for quarterback-needy teams. Murray has missed 27 games over the past three seasons. Durability is a real concern."
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"When he's on the field, however, it's not like the former No. 1 pick is incompetent. He's nimble in and out of the pocket, with solid vision (despite his size) and an arm that once earned him a $230.5 million contract. That contract could prove a barrier in trade negotiations, but the New York Jets need stability at the quarterback position more than any other team."
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray scans the field during live action on Sep 29, 2024, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale. Murray's mobility and arm talent were central to Arizona's offensive rhythm, placing constant stress on Washington's defense throughout the afternoon as the Cardinals leaned on his playmaking ability. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
New York has two 1st-Round picks this April and could use the 16th overall pick to target Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson .
Kline added on Murray to the Jets, "Again, Murray has a tendency to get hurt, but his baseline competence level rests so far above what Jets fans are used to. Aaron Glenn will be coaching for his job in 2026. He deserves a chance to put a competitive product on the field."
"The Jets will almost certainly draft a QB in 2027, but a year of Murray is worth a shot."
Murray will turn 29 this summer.
