49ers vs. Chiefs: 5 biggest storylines for 2021 preseason opener

49ers vs. Chiefs Storyline No. 2: The battle for third-string quarterback

Let’s face it, preseason games typically get pretty boring and sloppy after the first quarter or so when the bulk of starters (those who play) are removed from the game.

And by the time the second half has rolled around, fans and analysts are typically trying to identify which players are standing out to make either the back end of the regular-season roster or, at the very least, the practice squad.

Maybe this will be viewed as a boring competition to some, but the Niners’ bout between Josh Rosen and Nate Sudfeld for the No. 3 quarterbacking job should at least give some meaning to the second half of Saturday’s contest.

Sudfeld, with $252,000 in guaranteed money on his one-year deal, seems to be the new favorite in this fight, and Kyle Shanahan also noted how Rosen seemingly took a couple of steps back in recent practices.

Not good for Rosen, who is already on his fourth team since being drafted in Round 1 by the Arizona Cardinals back in 2018.

Granted, if San Francisco is forced to turn to its No. 3 quarterback for any length of time once the regular season hits, the team is in absolute trouble.

Considering this has been the case in two of the last three years, however, the fight between Rosen and Sudfeld should be one 49ers fans should at least monitor.