Mac Jones

Mac Jones enters the 2026 fantasy season as San Francisco’s backup quarterback, and that makes him mostly a contingency play rather than a draft-day target in standard one-QB leagues. The big picture is simple: if Brock Purdy stays healthy, Jones has very little standalone value, but if Purdy misses time again, Jones could instantly become relevant because he showed last year that he can function well in Kyle Shanahan’s offense.

Jones’ 2025 run was encouraging for fantasy managers who need insurance at quarterback. In five starts for the 49ers last season, he went 5-3 overall as a starter, completed 69.6% of his passes, and posted career-best efficiency numbers, which is why San Francisco rewarded him with a 2026 contract restructure and extra incentives this offseason. CBS Sports also noted that he produced at least 19.8 fantasy points in five of those outings, underscoring that he can be a useful streaming option if he gets back on the field.

The main thing to watch now is health, because recent reports say Jones has been dealing with shoulder soreness during OTAs and has not been throwing much, though the expectation is that he should be ready for training camp. That is worth monitoring, but it does not appear to be a major long-term concern based on the current reporting. More importantly for fantasy, his 2026 role has not changed: San Francisco expects him to remain with the team, and there is no indication of a trade or release that would alter his depth-chart standing right now.

For fantasy managers, Jones is best viewed as a premium handcuff quarterback in superflex and two-QB formats, especially because the 49ers kept him in-house and he has already proven he can deliver usable weeks in this system. In deeper leagues, he is a sensible late-round stash if your roster can afford it, but in shallower formats he is only worth attention if Purdy’s health becomes uncertain again.

Updated 06/08/2026