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Tanner Mordecai warms up on the sideline during the second half of a 49ers preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders on August 23, 2024.

On Friday August 8, 2025, the San Francisco 49ers announced they re-signed quarterback Tanner Mordecai to a one-year deal.

Mordecai, 25, originally signed with the 49ers as an undrafted free agent on May 6, 2024. He spent the entire 2024 season on the 49ers practice squad.

Mordecai also spent much of 2025 OTAs and training camp with the 49ers, but was waived by the team just a few days ago on Monday August 4, 2025.

He joins a 49ers quarterback room comprised of starter Brock Purdy, backup Mac Jones, injured rookie Kurtis Rourke, and fellow second year QB Carter Bradley.

Mordecai to Compete With Bradley for QB3 Spot? 

The 49ers’ recent saga of moves at the quarterback position has been interesting, and rather puzzling.

Heading into 2025 training camp, Mordecai seemed like a surefire candidate to serve as the third-string quarterback behind Purdy and Jones. He has a year of experience with the Niners offense under his belt, so he seemed like a solid, dependable option. At least until Rourke came back to make it a competition.

But then, only July 31, 2025, the 49ers signed Carter Bradley. Bradley is the son of 49ers assistant head coach Gus Bradley. 49ers fans and analysts now figured Bradley and Mordecai would battle for the third-string quarterback spot.

But then, on August 4, the 49ers cut Mordecai loose. Had Bradley really won the QB3 job that quickly?

Apparently not. Mordecai is back and his competition with Bradley has begun once again.

It’s unclear what the 49ers are thinking with so much seemingly nonsensical QB shuffling.

But it will be fascinating to watch them compete against each other if they both get a shot to lead the 49ers offense in their first preseason game against the Denver Broncos.

Equanimeous St. Brown Placed on Injured Reserve

In a corresponding move to the Mordecai signing, the 49ers placed veteran wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown on injured reserve.

St. Brown is another player that has had the weirdest couple of weeks. First, the 49ers signed him to a free agent deal on July 22, 2025.

Then, just a week and a half later on July 31, 2025, they cut St. Brown in a series of roster moves.

Then, just three days ago on Tuesday August 5, 2025, the 49ers re-signed him after finding out that another recent wideout signee, Andy Isabella, had an undisclosed injury.

And now, St. Brown is on season-ending injured reserve. An unfortunate ending to a wild rollercoaster few weeks for St. Brown, and to his entire season.

The corresponding move only makes the resigning of Mordecai more puzzling. The 49ers clearly need help at wide receiver after so many injuries. They already have four quarterbacks and may only be able to keep two on the active roster. Why not sign a wide receiver instead of a (potential) third-string quarterback you cut only four days ago?

In Kyle Shanahan we trust, I suppose. He has a process, even if it’s confusing to onlookers.

What do you think of the Tanner Mordecai signing, 49ers fans? Are you excited to see him get another shot in San Francisco?

Ethan Inman is a sports journalist covering the San Francisco 49ers, San Francisco Giants and Las Vegas Raiders for heavy.com. He also co-hosts a college football podcast for The Voice of College Football, and writes about the NBA and MLB. He has previously covered the USC Trojans, the NHL, college baseball, and the intersection of sports and popular culture for other publications. He is based in the greater Los Angeles area. More about Ethan Inman

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