As ridiculous as it sounds, Jake Moody is slated to enter Week 1 as the San Francisco 49ers’ kicker. This comes after a dreadful 2024 campaign in which he hit just 70.6% of his field goal attempts.
His struggles left many believing the 49ers would make a switch in the offseason. But with less than two weeks until the start of the season, Moody remains the lone kicker on the roster.
The 49ers briefly brought in veteran Greg Joseph to compete with Moody, but released him on August 4th.
That leaves San Francisco with a major question mark at one of football’s most unforgiving positions.
High Draft Price Puts Spotlight on Moody
The 49ers selected Moody 99th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, making him one of only five kickers since 2000 to be selected in the first three rounds. It was a steep price at the time, and the 49ers have yet to see it pay off.
Drafting kickers that high is rare and often frowned upon. A player like Sebastian Janikowski, who was taken in the first round by the Raiders back in 2000, ended up being a gem in Oakland for 17 seasons. More often, though, reaching for a kicker is a gamble that leaves front offices open to scrutiny if the player doesn’t justify the investment.
The 49ers are feeling that heat now and are compounding their mistake by keeping Moody on the roster. If his struggles continue early into the season, the criticism will be deafening for the organization.
Consistency and Confidence Remain the Issue
Moody has tremendous upside, which he showed this preseason by nailing a 59-yard game-winning field goal against the Raiders. Talent has never been the issue.
The problem is consistency, which stems from his confidence. In preseason, with lighter stakes—having overtime as a safety net on a 59-yard attempt where a miss is excusable—he delivered.
But when the pressure ramps up, he’s shown it can rattle him, and the 49ers worry he can’t convert routine kicks. That’s always been the concern.
https://twitter.com/Coach_Yac/status/1959433732282024081
Super Bowl Kick and Draft Status Keep Him Afloat
Moody’s talent, and one high-pressure moment, are what’s kept him on the roster. His 53-yard field goal in Super Bowl LVIII gave the 49ers a lead with 1:57 left in regulation—a reminder of why they believed in him in the first place.
That clutch kick, combined with the front office’s heavy draft investment, has bought him time. Still, the pressure will be immense when San Francisco opens the season on the road in Seattle.
Moody needs a strong start to settle not only the fan base but also himself, giving him the chance to build confidence as the season unfolds.
Moody’s Struggles Could Raise Bigger Questions for 49ers
If Moody flames out again this season, it’s fair to ask serious questions about the 49ers’ decision-making. The team is reluctant to admit its mistakes and cut him; but they need to understand two wrongs don’t make a right.
John Lynch has built one of the NFL’s premier rosters, guiding San Fransisco to two Super Bowls and four NFC Championship Games. His track record is excellent, but even the best general managers make mistakes. The key is to correct those mistakes, and doubling down on Moody could prove costly.
Will Jed York fire Lynch if this decision backfires? No, and nor should he. Lynch has earned job security. Still, if a less accomplished general manager made this move, it might be considered a fireable offense.
This season, Moody won’t be the only one under the microscope—the 49ers’ front office will be too.
Leave a comment