49ers vs. Chargers Preseason Live Blog

SANTA CLARA -- This is the live blog for the San Francisco 49ers preseason finale against the Los Angeles Chargers. I will update this frequently with information and analysis from the press box.

6:30 It's done. The 49ers officially have traded Trey Lance to the Dallas Cowboys for a fourth-round pick in 2024. Great move for the Cowboys -- they get a 23-year-old former No. 3 pick who's improving, and they get him for a Day 3 pick. This is the kind of savvy trade Bill Walsh would have made. And it's a good move for Lance, because he gets to play for a head coach in Mike McCarthy who actually has developed a franchise quarterback -- Aaron Rodgers. But it's a bad move for the 49ers. They eliminated a distraction they created and did so by degrading their quarterback room. Yesterday, they had two promising young quarterbacks and Sam Darnold. Today, they have one promising young quarterback and Sam Darnold plus a pick they can't use until next year. The 49ers just got worse. And the Trey Lance trade officially is the worst trade ever. They traded three first-round picks to move up in a draft without knowing who they wanted to draft. On the day of the draft, they tried to trade the No. 3 pick to the Packers for Aaron Rodgers, but failed. So they settled for Lance. Never fully committed to him -- that's why they kept Garoppolo. So Lance never had a chance to succeed. And the crazy is part is the fans liked Garoppolo -- it was the organization that wanted to get rid of him and insisted that the team needed more than a mere game manager to win a Super Bowl. Fans accepted the new direction and were patient with Lance -- much more patient than the 49ers were. And now the 49ers have pivoted to Brock Purdy, who's a lot like Garoppolo, only younger and cheaper. And the 49ers still haven't signed Nick Bosa. And rookie third-round pick Jake Moody is injured. Doesn't sound like the 49ers are on the verge of a Super Bowl victory, does it?

7:05 The 49ers will get the ball first.

FIRST QUARTER

7:12 On 2nd and goal from the 2, Brock Purdy hands off to Jordan Mason, who fumbles. The Chargers recover in the end zone for a touchback. During the drive, Purdy completed four short throws. The one long throw he attempted to the right side of the field sailed out of bounds.

7:17 On 3rd and 12 from the Chargers 18, Steve Wilks calls a 6-man pressure, and Fred Warner loops around to sack Easton Stick, the Chargers backup quarterback. Los Angeles goes three and out. They're not playing their starters. After the punt, the 49ers take over at their 47. After the sack, Fred Warner did the Nick Bosa shrug and then the "make it rain" motion, which could mean he wants to the 49ers to hurry up and pay Bosa what he's worth.

7:26 On 2nd and goal from the 5, Purdy scrambles to his left and scores an easy touchdown. Then punter Mitch Wishnowsky attempts an extra point and misses it. Bizarre. What happened to Zane Gonzalez?

49ers 6, Chargers 0.

7:30 Apparently Gonzalez injured his calf in pregame warmups and is out. Which means BOTH the 49ers kickers are hurt. That's got to be a first.

7:32 On 2nd and 10 from the Chargers 25, Kevin Givens gets completely moved out of his gap and the 49ers promptly give up a 75-yard touchdown run. Yikes.

49ers 6, Chargers 7.

7:40 Sam Darnold enters the game and the 49ers immediately go three and out. Good thing they traded Trey Lance. After the punt, the Chargers take over at their 33.

7:47 On 3rd and 6 from the 49ers 42, Alex Barrett and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles sack Easton Stick. After the punt, the 49ers take over at their 8.

7:52 On 3rd and 4 form the 49ers 26, Darnold sails a pass over his receiver's head. I'm starting to think the 49ers should have kept Lance. After the punt, the Chargers take over at their 32.

8:07 The Chargers methodically drive down the field for a field goal. Defending the run could be an issue for the 49ers this season. They haven't defended it well this preseason.

49ers 6, Chargers 10.

8:20 Sam Darnold completes a beautiful 36-yard pass up the right sideline to Chris Conley, but the 49ers end up punting a few plays later anyway. Darnold doesn't score much, but he looks so good while he's not scoring.

THIRD QUARTER

8:38 The Chargers put their third-stringers in the game, lose 10 yards and go three and out. Time for more Sam Darnold.

8:45 On 3rd and 4 from the Chargers 6, Darnold throws a touchdown pass to Willie Snead. What an inspiration watching Darnold lead the second-string offense to a touchdown drive against the Chargers third-string defense. The 49ers go for 2 and Darnold throws a low fade pass that gets broken up.

49ers 12, Chargers 10.

8:57 Max Duggan leads the Chargers down the field for a touchdown. He rushed 4 times for 30 yards on the drive. Good to see the 49ers still can't stop mobile quarterbacks.

49ers 12, Charges 17.

9:05 Brandon Allen's first throw is intercepted. Nice. The Chargers take over at the 49ers 18.

49ers 12, Chargers 20.

9:11 Allen goes three and out and misses both of his throws. He's terrible. Good thing the 49ers kept him. After the punt, the Chargers take over at their 39.

FOURTH QUARTER

9:21 Max Duggan leads the Chargers into 49ers territory but penalties end the drive. He reminds me of Brock Purdy. Nice draft pick by the Chargers. After the punt, the 49ers take over at their 1.

9:27 On 3rd and 2 from the 49ers 26, Brian Hill drops a pass in the flat from Brandon Allen. After the punt, the Chargers take over at their 25.