The San Francisco 49ers' popular quarterback Mac Jones is entering the final year of his contract with the team as trade rumors swirl. Amid the speculation, the Carolina Panthers have emerged as a potential landing spot for the star player.
Which teams are interested in Mac Jones?
Over the past few months, several rival teams have been linked to San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones. According to NFL insiders, the Carolina Panthers have reportedly been eyeing the star player.
What are insiders saying about the trade rumors?
In a recent report by Bleacher Report's Moe Moton, he noted, "The Athletic's Joseph Person reported that Carolina isn't expected to sign Young to an extension this offseason, suggesting the team wants to see more from him in the upcoming term. If Young regresses, the Panthers may try to pivot at quarterback midseason to make it back to the playoffs in a winnable division that didn't have a team above .500 last year."
Moton added, "In that predicament, they shouldn't turn to Kenny Pickett or Will Grier. Neither has had much success on the pro level. If Young isn't the guy, the Panthers should pursue San Francisco 49ers backup quarterback Mac Jones. Last season, Jones played well in place of Brock Purdy, who battled injuries, throwing for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions with a 69.6 percent completion rate in 11 games (eight starts)."
Contract details and salary cap implications
If Mac Jones is traded during the 2026 season, the acquiring team would assume his $1.4 million base salary and a $100,000 workout bonus, while his $2.25 million in performance incentives would also transfer. For the 49ers, trading Jones would clear his base salary from the cap space but the team would incur a $1.62 million loss in salary cap space for 2026.
How could the trade impact the teams?
For the Carolina Panthers, trading for Mac Jones would be affordable and could provide a significant boost if Bryce Young continues to struggle on the field.
