The thing about the NFL preseason is that it's usually just background noise for most fans. You’ve got the barbecue going, the weather is finally starting to turn towards fall, and you're mostly just happy to see guys in gold helmets running around again. But if you’re looking at the 49ers preseason game schedule for 2025, there is a lot more on the line than just "getting the rust off."
Honestly, after the way the 2024 season ended—with Christian McCaffrey’s injury woes and the defense struggling to find its footing under a mid-season transition—these three games in August are basically the laboratory where the new-look Niners are built.
The 2025 preseason lineup: Who and when
The San Francisco 49ers finalized their three-game slate back in May, and it's a pretty heavy West Coast schedule. No cross-country flights to Florida or New York this time.
Game 1: Denver Broncos at Levi’s Stadium
- Date: Saturday, Aug. 9
- Time: 5:30 p.m. PST
- Result (Spoiler Alert): Broncos 30, 49ers 9
Game 2: San Francisco 49ers at Las Vegas Raiders
- Date: Saturday, Aug. 16
- Time: 1:00 p.m. PST
- Venue: Allegiant Stadium
- Result: 49ers 22, Raiders 19
Game 3: Los Angeles Chargers at Levi’s Stadium
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- Date: Saturday, Aug. 23
- Time: 5:30 p.m. PST
- Result: 49ers 30, Chargers 23
Why that Broncos game felt so weird
Look, losing 30-9 in the opener isn't exactly what you want to see, even in an exhibition. But Kyle Shanahan has always been a "process over results" kind of guy in August. The big story wasn't the scoreboard; it was the joint practice leading up to it.
On Thursday, August 7, the Niners hosted Denver for "87 Day." If you're a real fan, you know exactly what that means. It’s the annual tradition honoring the legend Dwight Clark. The team used that open practice to raise awareness for ALS and support the Golden Heart Fund. That’s the kind of stuff that doesn't show up in the box score but matters for the locker room culture.
On the field, the focus was squarely on the defensive line. With Robert Saleh back as defensive coordinator, everyone wanted to see if the "Wide 9" was going to have that same bite it had back in 2019. Watching Mykel Williams, the first-round pick out of Georgia, line up next to Nick Bosa for the first time was the highlight. He’s huge. Like, "doesn't look like a rookie" huge.
The Raiders rivalry (preseason edition)
Then you’ve got the Raiders game. It’s funny how a game that doesn't count still feels like it counts when it’s against Vegas. This was the third year in a row these two have met in the preseason.
This game was basically the "Brock Purdy Tune-Up." He didn't play long, but he looked crisp. But the real story? The depth at running back. With McCaffrey being managed like a fragile piece of fine china after his PCL and Achilles issues in 2024, the Niners needed to see what Jordan James, the rookie from Oregon, could do.
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He didn't disappoint. He’s got that low center of gravity that makes him look like a bowling ball hitting a set of pins. The 22-19 win was nice, but seeing the backup offensive line actually hold a block for more than two seconds was the bigger win for the coaching staff.
The final dress rehearsal against the Chargers
By the time the Chargers came to Santa Clara on August 23, the roster cuts were looming. This is the "bubble player" Super Bowl.
If you were watching closely, you saw Kurtis Rourke—the 7th-round QB from Indiana—trying to secure that QB3 spot. It's a tough gig. You're playing with guys who might not be on the team in 48 hours. But the 49ers put up 30 points and looked like they finally had some rhythm.
One thing that caught people off guard was how much the Niners experimented with the new kickoff rules. Since the NFL changed how the return game works, the preseason was the only time to really test those "squib and hope" theories without it costing a playoff spot.
What we learned (and what people got wrong)
A lot of the "experts" were worried about the age of the roster. People were saying the window was closing because guys like Trent Williams and George Kittle aren't getting any younger.
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But the 49ers preseason game schedule showed that the youth movement is actually happening.
- Alfred Collins (DT, Texas) looked like a monster in the middle.
- Nick Martin (LB, Oklahoma State) has that Fred Warner-lite sideline-to-sideline speed.
- Jordan Watkins (WR, Mississippi) might actually be the deep threat they’ve been missing since... well, a long time.
The biggest misconception? That the preseason doesn't matter for the starters. While they only play a series or two, those reps in Saleh’s "new-old" defense were vital. You could see the communication improving from the Denver game to the Chargers game.
How to use this info for the rest of the year
If you missed these games, don't worry—the tape tells the story. The Niners finished the preseason 2-1, but the real takeaway was the health of the roster. Entering Week 1 against Seattle, they were remarkably clean on the injury report.
If you're looking to catch future games or even training camp next year:
- Join the Faithful early: Training camp tickets are usually only $10-$20 and the money goes to the 49ers Foundation. It's the best way to see the team without spending $400 on a regular-season seat.
- Watch the "Community Corner": During camp, they bring in local non-profits. It's a cool way to see the team interact with the Bay Area.
- Check the local broadcast: KPIX 5 (CBS) is usually the home for these preseason games in the Bay Area. If you're out of market, NFL+ is your best bet.
The preseason is over, and the Niners are already deep into the 2025-26 campaign. But those three Saturdays in August were where the foundation for another playoff run was actually poured.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the practice squad elevations throughout the season. Many of the standouts from the Chargers and Raiders games will likely be the ones called up when the inevitable mid-November injuries start to pile up.