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By Ellis Williams
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The Minnesota Vikings checked on San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones before Tuesday’s trade deadline, but the asking price complicated their search before they reportedly reached a deal for another familiar face.
San Francisco’s price was too high for Minnesota, Dianna Russini reported Tuesday. Her report identified Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins as the deal league sources believed the Vikings were trying to complete, leaving Jones as an option with a significant obstacle attached.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero subsequently reported that the Raiders were trading Cousins to the Vikings for a 2027 third-round pick. Las Vegas is turning to quarterback Fernando Mendoza, Pelissero reported, providing a new direction for Minnesota after the price on Jones proved too high.
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Russini did not specify San Francisco’s asking price. The Vikings’ interest in Jones emerged after a 23-6 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Monday night dropped them to 6-2 and exposed their offensive struggles.
Quarterback Carson Wentz completed eight of 25 passes for 81 yards and two interceptions against Buffalo. Minnesota failed to convert any of its eight third downs, and the Bills held the ball for more than 42 minutes.
That performance left the Vikings searching for help despite a record that keeps them firmly in contention. The reported deal for Cousins would bring him back with nine regular-season games remaining, beginning with their trip to Green Bay.
Jones offers a different recent résumé. The former Alabama quarterback was the 15th overall pick in the 2021 draft and earned a Pro Bowl selection as a rookie with the New England Patriots. He later spent the 2024 season with the Jacksonville Jaguars before signing a two-year deal with San Francisco in March 2025.
He made eight starts in his first season with the 49ers and completed 69.6% of his passes for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions. His 97.4 passer rating was the highest of his career.
Jones has not started a game this season.
San Francisco also has a winning season to protect. The 49ers improved to 7-1 with a 38-17 victory over the Raiders on Sunday, giving them reasons to weigh any return against losing an experienced option behind quarterback Brock Purdy.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter had separately reported that Minnesota identified Cousins as a prime trade candidate. Pelissero’s subsequent report supplied the compensation for that move, while Russini’s account showed the cost obstacle Minnesota encountered in exploring Jones.
The Vikings next visit the Packers on Nov. 15. The reported Cousins deal shifts the focus from the price of acquiring help to how quickly Minnesota can improve an offense that managed only six points in its latest game.
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