49ers schedule: 2021 preseason dates vs. Chiefs, Raiders announced

Fans hoping to catch a glimpse of 49ers rookie quarterback Trey Lance may get to do so with the 2021 preseason dates and times announced.

There’s a good chance the San Francisco 49ers elect to keep their top pick from the 2021 NFL Draft, quarterback Trey Lance, on the bench for his rookie season while letting the veteran, Jimmy Garoppolo, have one last go with the Niners this year.

Yet it’s highly likely head coach Kyle Shanahan fields Lance at various points this preseason.

While we knew which teams San Francisco would play in the return of preseason games after their absence last year because of the pandemic, the 49ers just released the specific dates and times for the three exhibition bouts in 2021 before kicking off the regular-season schedule in Week 1 on the road against the Detroit Lions.

49ers 2021 preseason NFL schedule

• Preseason Week 1 vs. Kansas City Chiefs: Saturday, Aug. 14 at 8:30 p.m. ET
• Preseason Week 2 @ Los Angeles Chargers: Sunday, Aug. 22 at 7:30 p.m. ET
• Preseason Week 3 vs. Las Vegas Raiders: Sunday, Aug. 29 at 4 p.m. ET

This will be the first time the Niners have faced off against the Chiefs since the two teams met in Super Bowl LIV, although the contest will likely feature a drive, perhaps two from both squads’ starters.

Yet this is the time many fans probably have the chance to see Lance take the field for the first time, and that alone might be reason enough to actually get excited about a preseason bout.

Week 2 of the preseason could feature the usual regular-season warmup-type of games that were typically reserved for the pre-pandemic Week 3 of the preseason, while this year’s Week 3 is likely to be that final exhibition to help determine the last few remaining spots available on the 53-man roster.

You probably won’t recognize too many of the names on either San Francisco or Las Vegas’ squads on Aug. 29.

Yet with reports that fans are going to be allowed back into Levi’s Stadium soon, there’s a good chance the Faithful might be able to catch first glimpses of Lance tossing passes in the red and gold.