The San Francisco 49ers played their first game of the 2025 preseason on Saturday against the Denver Broncos.
For the 49er faithful, this was their first opportunity to see some of the newest members of the 2025 team. The preseason represents the ultimate proving ground for rookies looking to make a name for themselves, while second-year and fringe vets try to solidify their spots on the 53-man roster.
One of those players in the latter category was second-year quarterback Tanner Mordecai, who was signed as an undrafted free agent last year. Mordecai didn’t play at all last season and was viewed as a potential cut candidate entering this season after the team drafted Kurtis Rourke in the seventh round.
Mordecai had a prime opportunity to change the narrative about himself in the opener, but he failed to do that, which led to the 49ers cutting ties on Monday.
That interception Sat. sealed Mordecai’s fate again https://t.co/nGH7VrmjPh
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) August 11, 2025
Tanner Mordecai Gets Shown the Door After Preseason Opener
According to Matt Barrows of The Athletic, San Francisco released Mordecai, leaving the 49ers with four QBs, including Rourke, who is still on the active/non-football injury list.
Some Niners fans thought Carter Bradley should’ve been kicked to the curb, as his performance wasn’t special against the Broncos.
Bradley completed 6-of-14 passes for 32 yards and an interception. He also had a dismal 20.5 rating. While Bradley’s performance wasn’t great, Mordecai wasn’t better in his short stint. The 25-year-old completed 3-of-6 passes for 21 yards and an interception.
Vic Tafur of The Athletic highlighted that Mordecai’s interception is what put him on the chopping block. Late in the fourth quarter, the 6-foot-2 quarterback was rolling out to the left, and instead of throwing it away, he scrambled slightly to the right and threw the ball off balance, ending up in the hands of a Broncos defender.
Pickett picked it!#DENvsSF | 📺: 9NEWS pic.twitter.com/fg00D9svTk
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 10, 2025
For Mordecai, it was an inexcusable mistake and play that he should’ve killed earlier, rather than trying to run around and hoping for something to open. The 49ers waived Mordecai last Monday, but re-signed him a day before the opener as San Francisco needed a third QB.
However, he didn’t take advantage of the opportunity, and will hope that another team at least brings him in for a workout. At this stage of the preseason, teams aren’t looking to bring in new quarterbacks. Therefore, Mordecai’s next hope is to get signed to the practice squad by one of the 32 teams.