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This Steelers trade pitch would see the team land Mac Jones from the 49ers

For the second straight offseason, drama has swirled around the Pittsburgh Steelers, thanks to the unknown status of their quarterback position. The team is hoping Aaron Rodgers will return for one more season in 2026, and while that appears to be trending towards happening, the Steelers still don’t have a long-term answer at this spot.

While Pittsburgh did select Drew Allar in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, it probably needs more of a sure thing at quarterback in the event Rodgers doesn’t return. There are still several players who could be up for grabs on the trade market, so let’s take a look at a trade pitch that would see the Steelers pick up Mac Jones in a deal with the San Francisco 49ers.

Steelers’ Mac Jones Trade Pitch

Steelers receive: QB Mac Jones
49ers receive: 2027 second-round pick

Again, even if Rodgers returns for the 2026 season, the Steelers eventually need a long-term answer under center. Jones is an intriguing option, as he showed himself well in 2025 with the 49ers while filling in for Brock Purdy. In fact, if it weren’t for Jones’ strong play last season (201/289, 2,151 YDS, 13 TD, 6 INT), the Niners probably would have missed the playoffs entirely.

When Purdy is healthy, he’s going to be San Fran’s starting quarterback, which has left Jones’ future in limbo. The 49ers have made it clear they are open to trading him, but the front office is reportedly looking for a first-round pick in exchange for him, which is an astronomical price. Jones is in the final year of his contract with the Niners, so if the team is going to trade him, they probably are going to want to do so sooner rather than later.

Pittsburgh could be one of the few teams left that is willing to take a flier on Jones. While he isn’t the most physically imposing quarterback, Jones proved he can will his team to wins, even without a stellar supporting cast. Giving up a second-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft is still a pretty high price to pay, but if the Steelers can find their way back to the playoffs, that could make this a bit of an easier deal to stomach.

Would the Steelers and 49ers Be Interested in This Mac Jones Trade Pitch?

GettyMac Jones #10 of the San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco’s handling of Jones as a trade asset has been a bit odd, as its high asking price has largely scared teams away. It’s nice to have him backing up Purdy, but in a perfect world, he wouldn’t play a single snap in 2026. If the team holds onto him, he’s going to leave in free agency next offseason, so it would make sense to trade him now while they can. With that in mind, a second-round pick probably gets the job done for the Niners.

The thing is, at this stage of the game, the Steelers probably aren’t willing to give up that much for Jones. Rodgers appears set to return for one more season, and Allar adds another intriguing layer of depth to a position that also features Mason Rudolph and Will Howard. Pittsburgh could conceivably wait for Jones to hit the open market next offseason and try to sign him, so unless the 49ers’ asking price drops significantly, the Steelers are probably standing pat for now.