SI.com Proposes Very Weird Vikings QB Trade

About two months ago, no one knew how the Minnesota Vikings would proceed at quarterback during the offseason, and one of the main theories involved a theoretical trade with the San Francisco 49ers for Mac Jones. Of course, that idea died when the Vikings signed Kyler Murray last month, but courtesy of SI.com, the proposal is back, even if it doesn’t make any sense.

The proposal adds clutter to a room that the Vikings already spent months reshaping.

That’s right. Mark Morales-Smith is back with the Jones-to-Vikings take, outlining a crowded QB room for Minnesota.

Jones Would Crowd a Quarterback Plan Already Put Together

Would you enjoy a Murray-Jones sandwich at quarterback for Minnesota this season?

SI.com: Mac Jones to MIN for J.J. McCarthy and 4th-Rounder

Nearly all quarterback rumors ceased for the Vikings when Murray signed on the dotted line. Thanks to Morales-Smith, though, Jones remains an option.

He explained this week, “San Francisco 49ers Receive: QB – J.J. McCarthy & Fourth Round Pick. Minnesota Vikings Receive: QB – Mac Jones. Kyle Shanahan is a guy who could think that he could get the most out of a former 10th overall pick and fix him. At least to the point that he’s a serviceable backup.”

“Similarly to what he did with Jones. It makes a lot more sense for San Francisco to get what they can for Jones at the peak of his value rather than keeping him as a backup and letting him walk after this season. We have heard reports that they want a second-round pick for Jones, which isn’t going to happen, but a fourth, and McCarthy is still a good deal.”

Morales-Smith’s deal included a 4th-Rounder to San Francisco, and the Vikings don’t have one in 2026.

“Getting rid of McCarthy is an addition by subtraction. It also makes sense to bring in competition for Murray, who is not a lock to pan out. He is viewed as clearly better than Jones, and rightfully so, but there is a reason he was cut by the Cardinals and the Vikings were able to bring him in for next to nothing,” Morales-Smith concluded.

So, This Isn’t Happening

On top of the fact that Minnesota already traded its 4th-Rounder to the Carolina Panthers in a deal centered around Adam Thielen, the trade has no teeth. It’s not going to happen.

Ever hear the phrase “too many cooks in the kitchen?” That would be a scenario with Murray and Jones on a Vikings roster that also already features Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer. When Jones eventually leaves San Francisco — either via trade or 2027 free agency — he needs a chance to start, his opportunity to forge a Sam Darnold-like path.

Jones to Minnesota would force him to sit behind Murray, which is what he’s doing right now with the 49ers behind Brock Purdy. The idea doesn’t add up.

Jones Is a Great Idea … Back in January

Listen, Jones to the Vikings for a draft pick and/or McCarthy was perfectly in bounds — months ago. In fact, had Jones been available at a reasonable price — the 49ers’ brass hinted all offseason that it wanted to keep Jones, and if he were traded, it wanted a significant haul — the Vikings could’ve or should’ve pounced.

In Eagan, Minnesota’s leaders could’ve debated “Murray or Jones” and found a consensus verdict. But then Murray became available for free. Well, the NFL’s league minimum. The Cardinals are paying his 2026 salary.

There’s no better deal in American sports than Murray to the Vikings for $1.3 million. Trading for Jones now, with Murray already in the saddle, would muddy the waters of an already fabulous offseason acquisition involving Murray.

Jones to Minnesota checked boxes in January and February, but that was then, and this is now.

McCarthy Is Too Young to Give Up On

The Vikings still seem committed to McCarthy’s development. Although his career has had a rocky start due to injuries, this early setback doesn’t rule out future success. If his situation improves, he’ll have a real chance to compete for the starting quarterback role and showcase his potential.

Darnold’s departure serves as a cautionary example. After Minnesota let him leave in 2025 free agency, Darnold joined Seattle and led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl win. This outcome made Minnesota’s decision look disastrous and ultimately cost former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah his job by the end of January.

On average, Murray misses four to five games per season due to injury. If that transfers to Minnesota, it will be nice to have McCarthy waiting, perhaps to re-prove himself, as an NFL starter.

McCarthy probably won’t be traded, and a Mac Jones to Minnesota deal is even less likely. That was an idea pre-Murray.