SANTA CLARA – Patrick Willis, inducted last summer into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, stopped behind a Levi’s Stadium end zone Saturday night and relayed how excited he was to watch live football.

Yes, even a preseason opener that would yield first impressions of a new defensive cast.

So, which of the next-gen linebackers might eventually make plays like Willis did from 2007-14? Stay tuned. We’re only one preseason game into this, and the 49ers had mixed results as a 9-0 lead flipped into a 20-9 halftime deficit against the Denver Broncos.

All-Pro Fred Warner got the night off with most other of the 49ers’ projected regular-season starters. But Dee Winters, Warner’s wingman in the starting lineup throughout camp, did play the opening two series as the weakside linebacker next to Tatum Bethune, Warner’s understudy.

San Francisco 49ers’ Fred Warner (54) stands on the field during warm-ups before their NFL preseason game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) 

“Dee is going into his third year, but this is really my first year seeing him. Man, it looks like he’s hungry and ready to take that next step,” Willis told the Bay Area News Group. “Obviously it’s all about doing it. It starts with the will to want to, and he’s been practicing his tail off and looking good. I see a lot of upside to him.”

Winters didn’t have a tackle in the 10 snaps over the opening two series, but he’s had an otherwise impressive camp through 12 practices.

Another option next to Warner is Nick Martin, a third-round pick who replaced Winters Saturday night and made a tackle at the 3-yard line just before halftime. “Nick, when you’re a freshman, the only thing you can do is show up each day and work your tail off, and he’s been doing that,” said Willis, who attended Thursday’s joint practice against the Broncos.

“… He’s going to be very valuable. Special teams is really going to need him,” Willis added of Martin. “And then when you get a chance to come in on third downs, make a play here or there, but most important, be sound and get the confidence of your teammates you can do the right thing.”

Bethune made three tackles on Saturday’s opening drive, and he returned to action in the second quarter after treatment on his right ankle. Willis was aware of him beforehand: “Bethune, I really feel could be that third linebacker and step in and be someone they can trust to get the job done.”

The 49ers, of course, have a void to fill next to Warner because Dre Greenlaw left in free agency for the Broncos; a quadriceps strain kept him out of action against his old team in practice and this game.

“I don’t think you can just replace someone like Dre Greenlaw,” Willis said. “But when you have someone like Fred, all you need is someone beside you that you’re confident they’ll be where they’re supposed to be.”

For Willis, that sidekick became NaVorro Bowman, and they helped lead the 49ers to three straight NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl in Willis’ final three full seasons before foot issues prompted his 2014 exit.

From the first night they roomed together in camp at the Santa Clara Marriott, Willis knew Bowman would be a perfect fit, because Bowman didn’t need Willis’ advice to dive into the playbook. “I’ll never forget, true story, I walk in our room and he’s already in his playbook,” Willis said. “It hit me right away. The rest is history. We chopped it up and I won’t tell you the things we talked about, but I was, ‘I think we’re going to be alright.’ ”

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Carter Bradley (17) or Jordan Watkins (17) reaches for a pass during warm-ups before their NFL preseason game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) 

EARLY LEAD

Once Winters and the 49ers defense took the field, they had a 7-0 lead to protect, courtesy of a game-opening drive that culminated in Patrick Taylor Jr.’s 5-yard touchdown run.

Mac Jones, starting at quarterback in place of Brock Purdy, had a fourth-and-1 conversion plunge on the preceding snap, and Jones really sparked the drive with a 50-yard completion to rookie Jordan Watkins to the Broncos’ 16-yard line, where former 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga made a touchdown-saving stop.

Jones went 4-of-7 over three series, with his final pass intercepted when Ja’Quan McMillan undercut an out route by Watkins in 49ers’ territory. Carter Bradley took over early in the second quarter and threw an interception on his second series.

San Francisco 49ers’ Darrell Luter Jr. (28) breaks up a pass intended for Denver Broncos’ Courtland Sutton (14) in the second quarter of their NFL preseason game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) 

DEFENSE’S DEBUT

In Robert Saleh’s return as defensive coordinator after four years away, his unit produced points on its second series. Nickel back Chase Lucas’ blitz forced Bo Nix to retreat into the end zone and throw the ball away toward the sideline, resulting in a safety and 9-0 Niners lead.

Then the Broncos scored 20 unanswered points before halftime, including touchdown catches against starting cornerbacks Darrell Luter Jr. and Dallis Flowers. Luter’s apparently blown coverage allowed tight end Lucas Krull to get wide open for an 8-yard scoring catch, then Jarrett Stidham found ex-49er Trent Sherfield for a 36-yard touchdown over Flowers.

Earlier, the Broncos settled for field goals thanks to a Luter pass defense in the end zone against Courtland Sutton, then sacks on the next series by Robert Beal Jr. and Kalia Davis.

San Francisco 49ers’ George Kittle (85) walks on the field during warm-ups before their NFL preseason game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) 

SIGLE’S START

Marques Sigle, a rookie starter at safety, recorded a team-high seven tackles before sustaining a knee injury. He started next to veteran Jason Pinnock while the 49ers were without a trio of starters from last season, Ji’Ayir Brown (ankle), Malik Mustapha (knee) and Hufanga.

MOST STARTERS SHELVED

Healthy scratches on offense were Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, Kyle Juszczyk, George Kittle, Rickey Pearsall and linemen Trent Williams, Jake Brendel, Dominick Punit and Colton McKivitz, along with injured wide receiver Jauan Jennings (calf). Ben Bartch started at left guard, where the 49ers have him pegged to replace Aaron Banks (Green Bay Packers).

Defensively, the 49ers sat Warner, Nick Bosa, Mykel Williams (knee), Jordan Elliott (back), Kevin Givens (pectoral), Renardo Green (hamstring), and Ji’Ayir Brown (ankle). Rookie nickel back Upton Stout did not suit up.

The Broncos played their usual starters, including defensive end Nick Bonitto, who beat tight end Luke Farrell and left tackle Spencer Burford for back-to-back sacks on the 49ers’ second series.

Related Articles

A look at every new 49er heading into exhibition opener against Broncos

Guy Haberman has Greg Papa’s support as fill-in for 49ers local TV broadcasts

Ex-49ers enjoy preseason return visit to Santa Clara with Broncos

How to watch the 49ers vs. Broncos preseason opener

49ers-Broncos practice recap: McCaffrey looks refreshed; Mykel Williams hurts knee

PREGAME TRANSACTIONS

The 49ers brought back Ke’Shawn Vaughn to fortify a running back corps that didn’t suit up McCaffrey, Isaac Guerendo (shoulder) and rookie Jordan James (finger). Vaughn came off the 49ers’ practice squad last season for three games. Offensive lineman Zack Johnson was waived in Saturday’s corresponding roster move.

On Friday, the 49ers re-signed quarterback Tanner Mordecai, a week after his release yielded No. 3 reps for Carter Bradley. Also, wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown was placed on Injured Reserve (foot); he was signed July 22 on the eve of camp, released on July 31 and re-signed Aug. 5.