49ers open 2025 training camp with a QB battle. Brock Purdy, Mac Jones, and Tanner Mordecai compete for the starting job after a rough 2024 season.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The fog of a miserable 6-11 season began to lift over Santa Clara on Friday as the 49ers kicked off their 2025 training camp. With fans in the stands and a palpable sense of optimism, the team took the field for its first full practice, officially beginning a journey of redemption. While health is paramount, all eyes were immediately drawn to the most critical position on the field, where a legitimate quarterback competition is already heating up.
We want to see who gives us the best chance to win come September.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan made it clear that the starting quarterback job is up for grabs. Presumed starter Brock Purdy, looking to bounce back from a rocky 2024, took reps alongside trade acquisition Mac Jones and rookie Tanner Mordecai. Shanahan told the media, 'We want to see who gives us the best chance to win come September,' signaling an open and intense competition. While no depth chart has been set, reporters noted that both Purdy and Jones showcased strong arms during team drills. The pressure is on Purdy to prove last season was an anomaly, while Jones has a golden opportunity to resurrect his career in a QB-friendly system.
The 49ers' offense runs through Christian McCaffrey, and the coaching staff is treating him accordingly. The star running back was on a limited rep count during Friday's practice, a clear strategy to manage his workload and ensure he's at peak health for the 17-game grind. 'We're focused on getting healthy and building chemistry early,' Shanahan noted, a sentiment that clearly applies to his most valuable weapon. The cautious approach gives valuable reps to backup Elijah Mitchell and rookie Jordan James, building crucial depth behind the All-Pro who projects as a prime RB1 for fantasy owners.
Fueling the optimism is a schedule that analysts have deemed the weakest in the NFL. After finishing last in the NFC West, the 49ers will face a slate of fellow last-place finishers, including the Bears, Giants, and Browns. The favorable path has Las Vegas setting their win total at a lofty 10.5, with analytics sites like PFF and Warren Sharp also projecting a double-digit win season. The road to the Super Bowl, which will be held at Levi's Stadium in February 2026, begins with a crucial Week 1 test on the road against the rival Seattle Seahawks on September 7.
In more good news, the wide receiver room is getting back on track. Jauan Jennings, who missed time earlier in the week, was a full participant in drills. Rookie Ricky Pearsall also put any minor injury fears to rest, appearing active and unhindered. With no major setbacks reported for either player, the 49ers are on track to have their key pass-catchers ready to contribute as camp progresses.
Day one is in the books, and the themes are clear: competition, caution, and high expectations. The quarterback battle between Purdy and Jones will dominate the headlines, while the careful management of Christian McCaffrey will be the quiet key to success. With a favorable schedule laid out before them, the 49ers have all the ingredients for a dramatic worst-to-first turnaround. The journey is long, but the first step was a confident one.
