All it took was one game of the 2025 season for the San Francisco 49ers coaching staff to decide they’d seen enough of kicker Jake Moody.
On Tuesday September 9, 2025, NFL insider Tom Peliserro reported that the 49ers have released Moody and he will go on waivers.
Moody made only 1/3 field goals on Sunday September 7, 2025 against the Seattle Seahawks. He was 2/2 on extra points.
Last season, Moody was only 24-of-34 on field goals including 6-of-11 from 40-49 yards and 4-of-9 from 50+. He also dealt with injuries, so the 49ers were hopeful that he could have a bounce-back season.
The 49ers have given him a long leash despite his NFL struggles because they spent a third-round draft pick (99th overall) on him in 2023. They wanted their investment to pay off, and gave Moody plenty of chances to prove himself.
But after they narrowly escaped Seattle on Sunday, and Moody left at least 3 if not 6 points on the board, the 49ers brass apparently decided they had seen enough.
What’s Next For the 49ers At Kicker?
The overwhelming likelihood is that the 49ers will re-sign K Greg Joseph to replace Moody.
Joseph spent part of 2025 training camp with the 49ers, but was cut before the preseason started because the 49ers had roster concerns at other positions. Another instance of them giving Moody the benefit of the doubt, despite the fact that Joseph was performing just as well as Moody if not better in practice.
All recent reports indicate that Joseph has stayed in shape, awaiting a 49ers call if they need him. So expect them to be calling today.
If for whatever reason the 49ers don’t go in that direction, they could also reunite with two kickers they had fill in for Moody last season when Moody had to miss 3 games due to injury.
Those kickers are Anders Carlson and Matthew Wright. Both are also currently free agents.
Carlson went 5-of-5 on field goals for the 49ers and 3-of-4 on extra points. Wright was 3-of-3 on field goals and 3-of-3 on extra points.
Maybe they can get Robbie Gould to come out of retirement? He’s only 42, crazier things have happened!
What’s Next For Jake Moody?
Is this the end of Jake Moody’s career? Not necessarily.
It’s going to be tough for any team to give him a shot after his struggles in 2024 and early 2025.
But ultimately, the 49ers used a third round draft pick and trusted Moody as the heir apparent to Robbie Gould for a reason. He was an elite college kicker.
He was the best kicker in all of college football in 2021 and broke Michigan’s all-time scoring record in 2022. At the height of his game he was both a consistent and powerful kicker.
He also seems like the ultimate player that could be benefitted by a change of scenery. Moody obviously has the natural talent and college track record to be a great NFL kicker, he has just lost his confidence over the last two seasons.
A fresh start with a new coaching staff, locker room and fanbase could be the mental reset that Moody needs.
It seems unlikely that teams think he’s reliable enough to be a plug-and-play guy in the event of kicker injuries around the NFL this season. But, he seems like a great candidate to get a shot with a new team during 2026 training camp.
49ers fans, are you glad they are making a change at kicker?
At Long Last, The San Francisco 49ers Are Making A Change At Kicker