Who Should I Start? Mac Jones or C.J. Stroud

Saturday, February 7, 5:23 AM

The San Francisco 49ers are not looking to trade backup quarterback Mac Jones this offseason, per Dianna Russini of The Athletic. Russini reports that while "things and offers could change," 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan "loves what he has" in Jones. With San Francisco starter Brock Purdy missing eight games in 2025 due to injury, Jones played a critical role in keeping the 49ers' season afloat. Across his eight starts, the 27-year-old threw for 2,147 yards, 13 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Jones averaged 7.4 yards per pass attempt in 2025, his first time clearing 6.8 yards per attempt since his 2021 rookie season with the New England Patriots. San Francisco signed Jones to a two-year contract last offseason, so the team could easily decide to keep him until he reaches free agency after the 2026 season. However, if a quarterback-needy team views Jones as a potential long-term solution, it might make the 49ers an offer that is too good to pass up.

Tuesday, January 20, 12:30 PM

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud threw four interceptions in the first half of the Divisional Round loss to the New England Patriots, becoming just the second QB since 1991 to throw four picks in a playoff half. The No. 2 pick in the 2023 NFL draft has rapidly regressed since his impressive rookie season. The Texans are expected to pick up his fifth-year option, but so far, the Texans are non-committal on a long-term contract extension for Stroud. Under first-year offensive coordinator Nick Caley in 2025, Stroud completed 64.5% of his passes for 3,041 yards and 19 touchdowns with eight interceptions. Despite having three playoff wins in his three seasons, Stroud has just five TDs with six interceptions and seven fumbles (two lost) in the postseason. Stroud said he was still "getting adjusted" to the new offense this year. Perhaps he'll be better in 2026 if Caley sticks around as the OC, but for fantasy purposes, Stroud has become a QB2 instead of a legitimate QB1 option.