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Wisconsin Football Quarterback Settles in Ideal NFL Landing Spot

Originally posted on Badger Notes | By Dillon Graff | Last updated 5/14/24

The San Francisco 49ers opted not to select a quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft, but they did sign former Wisconsin football signal caller Tanner Mordecai as an undrafted free agent to come in and compete.

According to Spotrac, Mordecai signed a three-year, $2,830,000 contract with San Francisco, with an average annual salary of $943,333.

Mordecai will join a quarterback room that features three seasoned players: Brock Purdy, Josh Dobbs, and Brandon Allen. While Dobbs, with $2.25 million in guaranteed money, is likely to secure the backup quarterback position for 2024, Mordecai will have an opportunity to push for a spot with the third-team offense during camp.

Wisconsin Football Stint Bitter-Sweet for Tanner Mordecai

Mordecai, a former four-star recruit, began his career at Oklahoma, where he sat behind Jalen Hurts and Spencer Rattler before transferring to SMU.

During his two seasons with the Mustangs, Mordecai put up some video game numbers, completing 67.8% of his passes for 3,628 yards and 39 touchdowns with 12 picks in 2021. He followed that up by throwing for 3,524 yards passing and 33 touchdowns versus 10 interceptions in 2022.

With hopes of improving his draft stock, Mordecai entered the transfer portal one last time, joining the Wisconsin football program for his final season of eligibility. His stint in Madison was a mix of highs and lows.

An injury suffered against Iowa sidelined Mordecai with a broken right hand that required surgery, keeping him out until November 11. Over the course of the season, he completed 65% of his passes, racking up 2,065 yards with nine touchdowns and just four interceptions.

Although he wasn’t invited to the NFL combine, the Wisconsin football quarterback shined at Badgers pro day. Mordecai recorded a 4.46 40-yard dash, which would have been the fastest among all quarterbacks at the NFL Combine in 2024. In addition, he registered a 33.5″ vertical jump, which would also have placed him first among all participants.

Why Mordecai Could Be a Strong Fit for Shanahan’s Offense

Kyle Shanahan has a specific profile he likes in his quarterbacks. He wants an athletic guy who understands the offense, processes information quickly, plays fearlessly, and delivers the ball accurately.

On paper, Mordecai’s skill set would seem to align with these preferences.

While Mordecai isn’t Purdy, he brings a wealth of experience to the table. With a reliable arm and the ability to escape the pocket and extend plays, he’s adept at getting the ball out quickly and executing an offense. I’m not saying Shanahan wants another game manager, but with some added seasoning, Mordecai could do that at the next level.

That said, entering the NFL at 25, Mordecai faces a challenging path to secure a spot on the 53-man roster, particularly if the 49ers decide to carry only two quarterbacks. With his leadership skills and dual-threat ability, it’s conceivable that Mordecai could be retained and spend a year on the practice squad, gaining valuable experience in Shanahan’s system.

In that case, the former Wisconsin football standout would be in an ideal position to compete for a backup role behind Purdy in 2025. He may lack the big arm capable of challenging opposing defenses downfield. Still, the 49ers have routinely found ways to get the ball in their playmaker’s hands by scheming players open — and it’s more important they have someone who can make the right reads to distribute the ball under center.

The Texas native doesn’t likely project as more than a backup quarterback in the NFL, but Shanahan has managed to put points on the scoreboard with marginal talents in the past. Should Mordecai perform well during camp and the preseason, a year of development on the practice squad could put him in a good spot to push for a job next season.

This article first appeared on Badger Notes and was syndicated with permission.

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