Panthers trade for 49ers QB in bold proposal for 2026 season

Quarterback Bryce Young is entering a critical season with the Carolina Panthers. He’s already had his fifth-year option picked up, which means they control him through the 2027 campaign.

However, if Young doesn’t hit the ground running and start to produce consistent results, nobody could blame the Panthers for going in a different direction under center—even before the 2026 NFL season is over with.

A new bold prediction from Bleacher Report has the reigning NFC South champs doing just that—pursuing a trade at the deadline with the San Francisco 49ers for Brock Purdy‘s backup, Mac Jones. Analyst Moe Moton writes:

If Young isn’t the guy, the Panthers should pursue San Francisco 49ers backup quarterback Mac Jones… The Athletic’s Jeff Howe believes the 49ers could demand a first-round pick for Jones. If that’s the case, the Panthers should inquire with the intent to make him their long-term starter, which would end Young’s tenure in Carolina. Jones is three years older than Young, but he’s shown the ability to perform at a high level with two different teams—the New England Patriots in his 2021 rookie year and the 49ers last season.

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If Young isn’t the guy, the Panthers should pursue San Francisco 49ers backup quarterback Mac Jones… The Athletic’s Jeff Howe believes the 49ers could demand a first-round pick for Jones. If that’s the case, the Panthers should inquire with the intent to make him their long-term starter, which would end Young’s tenure in Carolina. Jones is three years older than Young, but he’s shown the ability to perform at a high level with two different teams—the New England Patriots in his 2021 rookie year and the 49ers last season.

We have a few objections to this scenario. First of all, demanding a first-round pick for a player who’s already been in the NFL for five years (and none of them as an All-Pro) is a non-starter. The absolute most the Panthers should be willing to pay for Jones is a Day 2 draft pick, preferably a third-rounder.

Second, there’s no guarantee that Jones will look as sharp in Carolina, especially considering he won’t have Kyle Shanahan as a play-caller, nor the massive amount of talent at the skill positions he enjoys in Santa Clara.

Third, every offseason, there are quarterbacks who become available for one reason or another—and there’s no reason to force it for any of them outside of Matt Stafford, who the Panthers famously pursued before settling on Sam Darnold. Targeting someone like Brendan Sorsby—who will be available in the supplemental draft—would give Carolina a quarterback younger than Young, and at a far lower price point than a free agent, a trade or a high draft pick will cost.

Jones might very well prove to be an upgrade over Young, but the Panthers should explore other options first if it even comes to that.

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