Jake

Moody

Moody missed a chip shot 24-yard field goal in Week 18, but subsequently made a 56-yard field goal later. He spent the 2025 season bouncing between the 49ers, Bears, and Commanders. The 49ers cut him after missing a pair of field goals in Week 1, after which he signed to the Bears’ practice squad. The Commanders signed him off the Bears’ practice squad after he made eight field goals in two games for Chicago. Moody spent the final six games of the season with the Commanders; it remains to be seen if he will return to Washington or sign elsewhere for next season.

A former third-round pick of the Niners back in 2023, Moody was waived by the 49ers for missing two kicks in Week 1’s win over the 49ers. The third-year kicker missed a whopping 10 kicks last season, but has gone 8-for-9 on his attempts in two games with the Bears, although he notably hasn’t attempted a field goal from 50-plus yards this season. Moody replaces Matt Gay, whose struggles primarily came from distances of 50-plus yards. If the goal is to find a kicker with more range, it seems unlikely that Moody will prove to be the difference-maker the Commanders are looking for. For his career, Moody is 6-for-12 on attempts from 50-plus yards.

He did get in full practices each of the last two days, which would seem to be an indication that the veteran kicker will be back against Baltimore. If not, Jake Moody will get another practice squad elevation and kick for the Bears in Week 8.

It’s another Jake Moody week, for those of you in two-kicker leagues or contemplating a stream against the Saints.

The decision to elevate Moody suggests Santos will be inactive for Monday night’s game against the Commanders, although fantasy managers will want to check inactives 90 minutes before kickoff to confirm. Moody converted 1-of-3 field goal attempts this season and was cut by the 49ers after Week 1. A career 74.2 percent kicker, fantasy managers counting on Santos can pivot to Moody in a pinch if Santos is ultimately ruled out.

Moody was waived by the 49ers after missing two field goals in San Francisco’s Week 1 win over the Seahawks. He will now provide some much-needed competition for Cairo Santos, who missed one of his two field goal tries in Week 1.

Greg Joseph was in camp for the 49ers and is a logical solution for them if they don’t opt to hold tryouts. Moody missed two field goals against the Seahawks in Week 1 after a horrendous 2024 season. He’ll join the tryout circuit if no immediate interest materializes.

Moody’s future with the team has been in doubt ever since his disastrous second half last season. The third-year kicker missed field goals from 27 and 36 yards out in Sunday’s win over the Seahawks and switched up his kicking approach this offseason in hopes of improved results. It’s safe to say, after one game, those adjustments haven’t helped. Shanahan initially committed to Moody in the team’s post-game presser, saying there was “no question” Moody would remain the team’s starter. However, after further thought, Shanahan decided he would further evaluate his kicker’s future, putting his Week 2 availability against the Saints in doubt.

Set to face a training camp competition with journeyman Greg Joseph for the Niners’ starting job, Moody recently told The Athletic that he had shifted from a three-step approach to a two-step approach in a bid to exchange distance for more accuracy in 2025. Moody, taken in the third round of the 2023 draft, was a total disaster in 2024. Struggling with a lingering ankle injury he suffered in Week 5 against the Cardinals, Moody missed ten of his 34 field goal tries. That included a three-miss game against the Bucs in Week 10. He made just five of 11 kicks between 40-49 yards last season. “It’s unacceptable to be kicking the way I was the second half of the year,” Moody said. “I don’t know if I lost any confidence, but stuff always creeps into your head, especially after missing a bunch of kicks.” Moody still has a chance to start for the 49ers in 2025 if he can get back to form in July and August.

After Moody missed 10-of-34 field-goal attempts last season, it would be a little silly not to. The 49ers kicker appears to be yet another cautionary tale against drafting kickers early. The former third-rounder was acceptable in his rookie season, hitting 21-of-25 attempts and a league-high 60 extra points, but has made just 16-of-29 attempts beyond 40 yards in his first two years. The competition is not on the roster yet, but the 49ers are likely waiting for the draft at this point to see if anyone they grade highly shakes loose.