San Francisco 49ers vs. Denver Broncos: Preseason Opener Recap (August 9, 2025)
The San Francisco 49ers kicked off their 2025 NFL preseason with a 30-9 loss to the Denver Broncos at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on August 9, 2025. The game, which marked the 42nd preseason meeting between the two teams, showcased a contrast in approach: the 49ers rested most of their starters, while the Broncos played their first-team units for several series. Despite the lopsided score, the game offered helpful information about roster battles, standout performances, and areas for improvement as the 49ers prepare for the regular season.
Game Overview
The Broncos dominated the game, finishing with a 30-9 victory. The 49ers’ lone touchdown came early, but their offense struggled to sustain momentum, particularly after the first quarter. Denver capitalized on their depth, with backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham throwing two touchdown passes and the Broncos’ running game amassing 453 yards on the ground. The 49ers, meanwhile, leaned on their second- and third-string players, offering a glimpse into their roster’s potential and limitations.
Scoring Summary
- First Quarter:
- 49ers: Patrick Taylor Jr. scored a 5-yard touchdown run, set up by a 50-yard pass from Mac Jones to rookie Jordan Watkins. Jake Moody’s extra point made it 7-0.
- 49ers: A safety was awarded after Broncos quarterback Bo Nix committed an intentional grounding penalty in the end zone, bringing the score to 9-0.
- Second Quarter:
- Broncos: Jarrett Stidham threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Lucas Krull, exploiting a coverage breakdown, and Wil Lutz added the extra point (9-7).
- Broncos: Stidham connected with Trent Sherfield for a 36-yard touchdown pass, followed by another Lutz extra point, giving Denver a 14-9 lead.
- Broncos: Lutz kicked a 42-yard field goal, extending the lead to 17-9.
- Broncos: Lutz added another field goal before halftime, making it 20-9.
- Third Quarter:
- Fourth Quarter:
Key Performances
San Francisco 49ers
- Jordan Watkins (WR): The rookie wide receiver was a bright spot, catching two passes for 53 yards, including a 50-yard reception that set up the 49ers’ only touchdown. His performance highlighted his potential in a competitive wide receiver room.
- Patrick Taylor Jr. (RB): Taylor scored the 49ers’ sole touchdown with a 5-yard run in the first quarter, capitalizing on the early offensive drive.
- Mac Jones (QB): In his first action as Brock Purdy’s backup, Jones completed 4 of 7 passes for 74 yards but threw an interception on his final drive. His 50-yard pass to Watkins showed promise, though his performance was mixed.
- Nik Bonitto (Edge): While playing for the Broncos, former 49er Bonitto stood out against his old team, recording two sacks and multiple pressures to disrupt San Francisco’s offense.
- Tanner Mordecai and Carter Bradley (QBs): Both quarterbacks struggled to move the ball after taking over in the second quarter, highlighting the drop-off from the starting unit.
Denver Broncos
- Jarrett Stidham (QB): Stidham stole the show, completing 14 of 15 passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns, earning a 144.0 QB rating. His performance underscored Denver’s depth at quarterback.
- Bo Nix (QB): The second-year quarterback had a rough outing, completing 6 of 11 passes for 31 yards and committing an intentional grounding penalty that resulted in a safety. Despite the struggles, his performance was attributed to preseason rust.
- Running Backs: Tyler Badie and Blake Watson averaged over six yards per carry, contributing to Denver’s dominant 453-yard rushing performance.
- Wil Lutz (K): Lutz was perfect, going 3-for-3 on field goals and 3-for-3 on extra points, alleviating concerns about his consistency after a shaky joint practice.
Injury Updates
The 49ers faced several injury concerns during the game, particularly in their already thin running back room:
- Ameer Abdullah (RB): Abdullah fumbled in the third quarter and left the game with a rib injury, listed as questionable to return.
- Marques Sigle (S): Sigle exited in the second quarter with a knee injury and was questionable to return.
- Tatum Bethune (LB): Bethune suffered an ankle injury in the second quarter but returned to the game shortly after.
- Running Back Depth: The 49ers were already without Christian McCaffrey, Isaac Guerendo (shoulder), and Jordan James (broken finger, out for a couple of weeks), prompting the signing of Ke’Shawn Vaughn before the game to bolster the position.
Strategic Approach
The 49ers, under head coach Kyle Shanahan, opted to rest most of their starters, including quarterback Brock Purdy, who recently signed a massive extension. This decision followed an intense joint practice with the Broncos on Thursday, where key players got significant work. In contrast, Broncos head coach Sean Payton played most of his starters for a few series, allowing players like Bo Nix and the first-team defense to gain game experience. The differing approaches reflected the teams’ priorities: San Francisco focused on evaluating depth players, while Denver aimed to shake off rust from their starters.
Notable Moments
- Levi’s Stadium Upgrades: The game marked the first showcase of Levi’s Stadium’s $200 million renovation, including new 4K video boards, LED field lights, and a light show unveiled during the “Levi’s Stadium Under the Lights” event. These upgrades are part of preparations for hosting Super Bowl LX in February 2026 and the FIFA World Cup in June.
- Familiar Faces: Former 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga and linebacker Dre Greenlaw, now with the Broncos, returned to Levi’s Stadium. Hufanga expressed mixed emotions about leaving San Francisco, where he had significant personal milestones.
- Roster Moves: Before the game, the 49ers signed running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn and waived offensive lineman Zack Johnson to address their running back shortages. They also re-signed quarterback Tanner Mordecai and placed wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown on season-ending injured reserve.
Takeaways
- Rookie Potential: Jordan Watkins’ performance suggests he could compete for a roster spot in a crowded wide receiver group. His ability to make big plays could earn him more opportunities.
- Running Back Concerns: Injuries to Abdullah, Guerendo, and James, combined with McCaffrey’s absence, highlight the need for depth at running back. Vaughn’s signing may not fully address this issue if injuries persist.
- Quarterback Depth: Mac Jones showed flashes but needs to reduce turnovers. The struggles of Mordecai and Bradley indicate a significant gap between the starting and backup quarterbacks.
- Defensive Depth: While the 49ers’ starting defense was largely absent, players like Nik Bonitto (now with Denver) exposed weaknesses in the second-team offensive line, suggesting areas for improvement.
- Preseason Context: The 49ers’ decision to rest starters limited their competitiveness but provided valuable reps for younger players. The loss is unlikely to impact their regular-season outlook, given their focus on roster evaluation.
Looking Ahead
The 49ers will hold a joint practice with the Las Vegas Raiders before traveling to face them in their next preseason game on August 16, 2025. The team will continue to monitor their running back injuries and evaluate players like Watkins, Jones, and Vaughn as they finalize their 53-man roster. Meanwhile, the Broncos will host the Arizona Cardinals after a joint practice, building on their strong preseason start.
This game, while a loss, offered the 49ers a chance to assess their depth and identify key contributors for the 2025 season. As they gear up for the regular season, the focus will be on health, cohesion, and leveraging their upgraded facilities to make a strong push in the NFC West.
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