49ers Waive Kicker Jake Moody After Missing 2 Field Goals vs Seahawks

The San Francisco 49ers have reportedly waived kicker Jake Moody following his struggles in Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks. The 2023 third-round pick missed two field goals in the contest, leading to visible frustration on the sideline.

Sunday's Struggles

Moody missed two field goal attempts against Seattle but did connect on a 32-yard kick to tie the game 10-10 in the fourth quarter. He also made both extra-point attempts in the 49ers' victory.

After Moody's second miss, Fox Sports reporter Pam Oliver noted seeing "two thrown helmets and a lot of ticked-off looking players" on the 49ers' sideline, highlighting the team's frustration with the kicking game.

Recent Performance Issues

Moody's struggles aren't new. Since Week 10 of last season, he has made just 12 of his last 23 field goal attempts over 10 games, including a poor 35.7% success rate from 40+ yards (5-of-14).

This extended slump made his roster spot increasingly tenuous despite coach Kyle Shanahan initially expressing confidence in the young kicker after Sunday's game.

Draft Investment Gone Wrong

Moody was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2023 draft, making this move particularly costly. Third-round picks are typically expected to be solid contributors, especially at a specialized position like kicker.

As a rookie, Moody went 21-of-25 on field goals and performed well in Super Bowl 58 against Kansas City, making all three extra points and two field goals.

What's Next for SF

The 49ers had brought in veteran Greg Joseph during training camp but waived him on August 4, leaving them without an obvious replacement.

San Francisco must quickly find a new kicker before their Week 2 matchup against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. The team's practice schedule begins Wednesday, giving them little time to evaluate options.

Bottom Line

The 49ers couldn't afford continued kicking struggles in a competitive NFC. While cutting a recent third-round pick is never ideal, Moody's recent performance made this move necessary as San Francisco looks to compete for another championship.