Who Should I Start? Sam Hartman or Tanner Mordecai

Saturday, August 23, 10:39 PM

Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Hartman completed 12 of 17 passes for 114 yards and two interceptions in a 30-3 loss against the Ravens. Hartman also took two sacks for seven yards while playing the whole first half. One of the interceptions was an unfortunate batted ball, but the other was a late and weak throw where the defender easily undercut it. The Notre Dame product struggled again in the final game of the preseason. He completed only 53.3 percent of his passes while throwing four interceptions to no touchdowns across the three games. It remains to be seen if Washington will opt to to keep three quarterbacks on the roster, and if they did, it seems veteran Josh Johnson would be the choice. Both would be options for the practice squad regardless, but Hartman's lackluster camp and preseason makes it unlikely for him to make the final roster.

Sunday, August 24, 4:37 AM

Quarterback Tanner Mordecai (leg) split time with Carter Bradley (leg) under center in the 49ers' 30-23 win over the Chargers on Saturday. Mordecai didn't get the start but turned in a superior line, going 10-for-13 for 103 yards and a touchdown in his time on the field. The 25-year-old looked solid until he came up limping on a failed QB sneak in the fourth quarter, leading to a turnover on downs on the next play when he struggled to simply complete the handoff to running back Ke'shawn Vaughn. The 49ers are committed to Brock Purdy (to the tune of a $265 million contract signed in May) and brought in Mac Jones to serve as his direct backup. Mordecai, who was waived and re-signed by the Niners twice during the preseason, will be lucky to survive the cuts necessary for the final 53-man roster to take shape.