Kyler Murray’s game in Tempe highlighted a growing patience: a 3-yard checkdown to a wide-open back flipped a 12-yard gain, setting up a late-half TD. Murray’s Aggressiveness Rate has been high, but he’s increasingly choosing the safe play to keep drives alive. Coaches Drew Petzing and Izzy Woolfork emphasize repetition, cadence, and under-center growth to keep the offense on schedule.

The piece tracks a maturation arc: from Air Raid roots to a West Coast approach, valuing the checkdown, protecting the ball, and playing smart football. Murray’s leadership, plus a supportive staff and Kaiser-like calm, are shaping a more efficient, less flashy, but winning Cardinals attack.

Tanner Mordecai returned to the 49ers and flashed in the preseason finale, completing 10 of 13 passes for 103 yards with a TD and adding 12 rushing yards. The performance heightens his chances to land the Week 1 third-string job behind Purdy and Jones as San Francisco trims the roster by Tuesday.

Carter Bradley connected for a TD on eight completions, and Kurtis Rourke returns from ACL rehab with a real shot to claim the role. The Chargers served as the test, but the final decision will hinge on the cut-down deadline and depth-chart shuffles that will shape late-round fantasy leverage and betting angles.

San Francisco closed its preseason with a 30-23 win over Los Angeles, resting most starters but still evaluating depth as roster cuts loom. Nick Martin anchored the middle with eight tackles, a tackle-for-loss and a forced fumble that sparked SF’s second score, plus a standout fourth-quarter stop on special teams. Demarcus Robinson provided a veteran presence with two catches for 30 yards, including a 22-yard TD, while Jeff Wilson led SF’s backups with 41 rushing yards and a score. Tanner Mordecai steered the reserve unit, and Thomas Morstead logged seven punts for 314 yards, flipping field position multiple times. Curtis Robinson’s return of a DJ Uiagalelei turnover and a disruptive edge presence from Robert Beal and Trevis Gipson capped strong depth-showing for the Niners.