Jun 10, 2025; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Tanner Mordecai (14) participates in a passing drill during an OTA at Levi's Stadium. D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

Former Wisconsin Badgers QB loses NFL training camp roster spot to coach's son

Originally posted on Wisconsin Badgers on SI
By Lorin Cox | Last updated Aug 4, 2025 4:14 PM ET

Tanner Mordecai's NFL dreams just took a big hit.

The former Wisconsin Badgers quarterback was in a battle for the No. 3 spot on the San Francisco 49ers depth chart, but that came to an end Monday when the team released him from their 90-man roster.

49ers roster moves:

They signed DL Bradlee Anae, DL Bruce Hector, S Jaylen Mahoney, CB Fabian Moreau and OL Isaiah Prince to one year-deals.

They waived CB Tre Avery, WR Isaiah Neyor, QB Tanner Mordecai and TE Mason Pline and released K Greg Joseph.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 4, 2025

The release of Mordecai comes just days after the team worked out and signed quarterback Carter Bradley, who is the son of 49ers assistant head coach Gus Bradley.

Bradley has denied the influence of nepotismt on the signing, noting that he wasn't present for his son's workout with the team.

San Francisco also has rookie seventh-round pick Kurtis Rourke behind starter Brock Purdy and backup Mac Jones, so head coach Kyle Shanahan decided they didn't need to keep five quarterbacks.

He didn't rule out the possibility of Mordecai coming back, even if that's a return to the practice squad where he spent last season.

With 13 players out of practice and 5 on PUP, Kyle Shanahan said the 49ers just can't afford to carry 2 kickers and 5 QBs on the 90 right now.

That's why Greg Joseph and Tanner Mordecai got cut. Shanahan made it clear "kickers always know they're competing", even if there's only…
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) August 4, 2025

He offers upside as an athletic, dual threat quarterback, but his NFL future will depend on the consistency of his arm.

Learning under Shanahan is a great opportunity for a young quarterback, but the next stop in his pro career could be elsewhere as he looks to carve out a role for himself in the league.