The 49ers’ Week 6 win over the Washington Commanders came down to one of those little swings that can change a game in a heartbeat. San Francisco led early, lost some of that grip as the second half wore on, and still escaped with a one-score victory. The biggest sequence came on Washington’s second-to-last drive, when the 49ers got a huge fourth-down stop on a Jayden Daniels end zone throw.
And in a roundabout way, Trey Lance helped make it happen.
Lance’s stint in San Francisco is remembered as a major miss, but his exit did leave the 49ers with a 2024 fourth-round pick. They used that selection on safety Malik Mustapha, and Mustapha was the one who finished the job against Washington. Daniels fired toward the pile on and wide receiver Treylon Burks came down with the ball, but Mustapha drove Burks to the turf and knocked it loose, turning the play into a turnover on downs.
If Washington had punched that in and converted the extra point, the Commanders would have moved in front. Considering how flat the 49ers’ offense looked at that stage, Mustapha’s stop mattered even more.
It also adds another layer to how the Lance trade-off has played out. San Francisco got just one win in the three games Lance started during his time with the team - a 23-7 victory over the 4-12 Texans, powered by the defense.
The next season, he started one game before getting hurt early in Week 2 against the Seahawks. Jimmy Garoppolo stepped in until Week 13, and after that Brock Purdy took over and held the job.
Mustapha, meanwhile, has already made a real impact. Through 2026, PFF has him seventh among NFL safeties. Even in a second-string role, he has put up 20 tackles and broken up three passes.
That kind of production fits a defense that ranks fourth in points allowed, and it gives the 49ers another useful piece in the secondary. The win over Washington won’t erase the pain tied to Lance, but it does make the draft return look a whole lot better. With Mustapha and the rest of that unit playing at a high level, the 49ers have reason to like where they are right now.
In Other News...
Brock Purdy Just Backed Up What 49ers Fans Have Been Seeing
The 49ers got more proof of what their own eyes have been telling them after Sundays 23-17 win over Washington. Pro Football Focus handed Brock Purdy an 82.5 offensive grade, another sign that the quarterbacks efficient, composed play has become a steady part of San Franciscos weekly formula. He had plenty of help, too, with Trent Williams anchoring the line at 80.6 and Christian McCaffrey turning in a strong all-around outing that included a 77.9 run grade and two touchdowns.
What makes Purdys latest step forward matter is the larger backdrop around it. The 49ers have leaned on him to keep the offense on schedule and make the most of the talent around him, and the grade only adds to the sense that he is backing up the eye test with production and consistency. The bigger question now is how far that level of play can carry San Francisco as the season keeps tightening, especially with the supporting cast around him still dealing with the usual weekly wear and tear. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Trade Deadline Debate Centers On Two Roster Needs
With the NFL trade deadline approaching, the 49ers are again being cast as a team that could shop for help at either edge rusher or wide receiver. The conversation has leaned heavily toward pass-rush reinforcements, which makes sense given the way this roster is built and how quickly the market can shift when a contender decides it needs one more difference-maker for the stretch run.
Among the names getting floated, the options range from familiar to purely speculative, with the kind of short-list discussion that usually follows a team with big expectations and a clear sense of urgency. The challenge for San Francisco is finding a move that actually fits the price and the need, and for now the debate is still centered on which direction the front office would prioritize if it decides to be aggressive. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Fans Want A Receiver Trade But One Problem Keeps Looming
The 49ers have spent the early part of the season piecing together their receiver room, with injuries pushing the depth chart into an uncomfortable place and forcing the offense to lean more heavily on Jordan Watkins, Jacob Cowing and Brandin Cooks in the short term. It is the kind of situation that naturally stirs up trade talk, especially for a team that has grown accustomed to having options at wideout and does not want to spend long navigating this stretch with a thin rotation.
Even so, the path to a meaningful deal is not as simple as fans might hope. Some of the injured pass catchers are expected back soon, which gives San Francisco reason to wait before paying a premium, and the market itself does not offer many obvious upgrades. The one name who could really move the needle would come with a much steeper price, especially with other teams also in the mix, leaving the 49ers in a familiar spot of balancing urgency against patience. [Read more 🡒]