Mayfield secured a massive three-year, $165 million contract extension in September 2026 after pushing for a deal before the season began. NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported that the Buccaneers quarterback is expected to miss three to six weeks, depending on how quickly he can grip the football. The franchise quarterback, who hadn’t missed a single game during his first three seasons in Tampa Bay, now leaves his team scrambling for solutions as their playoff hopes hang in the balance. The Buccaneers must decide whether they believe a quarterback trade could salvage their season before the situation deteriorates further.

Jones’ 49ers Success Fuels Trade Speculation

The trade proposal emerges largely due to what Jones accomplished when the 49ers needed him during the 2025 season. With Brock Purdy suffering a season-ending injury early in 2025, Jones stepped up as the starter and went 5-3 in eight games. He finished the season completing 201 of 289 passes for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions while posting a career-high 97.4 passer rating. Kay argued that Jones “was able to save the Niners’ 2025 season” and could give Tampa Bay a far steadier short-term answer while Mayfield recovers.

Jones’ performance in San Francisco represents a dramatic turnaround from his final years with the New England Patriots. The Patriots selected Jones No. 15 overall in 2021, and he helped them reach the playoffs while earning a Pro Bowl selection as a rookie. His trajectory went the other way over the next two years, as he threw 10 touchdowns against 12 interceptions in 2023, went 2-9 as a starter and slid to the bench. New England traded him to the Jacksonville Jaguars in March 2024 for a sixth-round pick, and after one season in Jacksonville, Jones signed a two-year contract with San Francisco in March 2025.

Stability in Shanahan’s System Rebuilds Value

Jones went into the 2026 offseason talking openly about the stability he found in Kyle Shanahan’s offense, which appears to have renovated his standing around the league.

“I feel like this is the first year I’ve had with the same offensive playbook being in the NFL,” Jones told the 49ers’ team website in June.

That continuity matters when considering why Tampa Bay would surrender legitimate draft capital for a quarterback who could provide immediate help. Jones is now widely considered one of the best backup quarterbacks in the NFL, though there has been talk of him being traded if the 49ers can get back decent draft capital. San Francisco reportedly values him highly, with speculation that decent draft capital could mean as much as a second-round pick. Brock Purdy is healthy and performing well with four wins in 2026, which means Jones remains on the bench patiently waiting for his turn to show up.

Patriots Made Right Call Despite Jones Revival

The New England Patriots made the right decision to move on from Jones, even if it wasn’t the best outcome after selecting him in the first round just a couple of years ago. The Patriots ultimately found themselves a franchise quarterback in Drake Maye, and everything seems to be working out for both parties. Jones could now join the growing list of quarterbacks who became “bust-to-hero” stories, alongside Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield himself, and Daniel Jones. The 28-year-old quarterback was a first-round pick out of Alabama and has proven he can stay healthy for an extended period when called upon.

The proposed trade structure includes a conditional pick that could rise depending on Jones’ starts and Tampa Bay’s success, giving both teams flexibility based on performance. Whether that happens around the trade deadline or a couple of weeks before is still to be seen. The Buccaneers are already facing a season-defining quarterback crisis, and a trade for the San Francisco backup could provide the much-needed solution before their playoff hopes slip away completely.

Tampa Bay’s Urgent Decision Looms

When the Buccaneers issued a blockbuster contract extension to Mayfield right before the 2026 NFL season kicked off, they probably didn’t expect an undrafted rookie to be their starting quarterback with the season on the line in Week 4. Mayfield is regarded as one of the league’s toughest players, making his absence even more significant for a team that invested heavily in his future. The franchise now must weigh whether acquiring Jones represents their best chance to keep the season from becoming a complete disaster. With every loss making their playoff path more difficult, time is running out to make a decisive move.

Jones proved last season that he can manage an offense effectively and deliver wins when given the opportunity. His over 2,100 yards in limited action and impressive touchdown-to-interception ratio demonstrate the kind of efficiency Tampa Bay desperately needs. It wouldn’t be too surprising to see him get a chance to start elsewhere throughout this season, whether with the Buccaneers or another team in need. For Tampa Bay, the question isn’t whether Jones could help-it’s whether they can afford to wait any longer to find out.

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