With Brock Purdy returning, the 49ers may face a 2026 decision: trade Mac Jones high or keep the NFL’s best backup?

With Brock Purdy set to return to the starting lineup for San Francisco this weekend, head coach Kyle Shanahan has

A major talking point in San Francisco now centers on their quarterback situation. It isn’t the first time, and it certainly won’t be the last. This time, the twist is that Jones signed a two-year contract, which has led to debates on whether Purdy's position as the starter is under threat.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport feels there will be "many, many teams" interested in trading for quarterback Mac Jones should the San Francisco 49ers decide to shop him this offseason.

Jones will return to a backup role with teammate Brock Purdy (toe) cleared to start Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

This article was originally published on www.si.com/nfl/49ers/onsi as Mac Jones is making it nearly impossible for the 49ers to bench him. The San Francisco 49ers suffered a brutal 42-26 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Jones didn't miss a pass in the first half and improved to 5-2 as a starter this season, as Brock Purdy nears his return from injury.

Mac Jones, who is fresh off a 319-yard, three-TD passing effort in his last game, will lead the San Francisco 49ers against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 11 on Sunday at 4:05 p.m. ET in Glendale, Arizona.

Let's be clear: Jones has done decent since he took over as the starter. He is one of the key reasons why the 49ers now have a 6-3 record. His record is now 5-2. But his performance against the Giants represented a massive step up in his game. It came at the perfect time, and the three-win cushion takes some pressure off.