49ers Cut Ties with Jake Moody: From Record-Setting Rookie to Early Season Release

Breaking News: 49ers Make Decisive Change at Kicker

The San Francisco 49ers have made a significant decision by waiving Jake Moody on Tuesday following his performance in their 17-13 season-opening win at Seattle.

A Promising Start That Faded

Moody’s journey with the 49ers began promisingly in 2023, when he achieved notable milestones including the longest field goal by a rookie kicker in franchise history, crucial winning kicks in playoff games, and three successful field goals in Super Bowl LVIII. His rookie season statistics were impressive, with 21 successful field goals out of 25 attempts and an nearly perfect record on extra points (60/61).

Recent Struggles Led to Decision

The kicker’s performance declined dramatically, with only 12 successful attempts out of his last 23 field goals since Week 10 of last season, achieving just a 52% success rate. In his final game with the team, he became the first 49ers kicker in 17 years to miss two kicks inside 40 yards in a single game.

New Direction for San Francisco

The 49ers have moved quickly to address their kicking situation by signing Eddy Pineiro, who brings impressive credentials to the team. Pineiro, who spent the past three seasons with the Panthers, ranked second in the NFL in field-goal percentage (94.3%) in 2022. His career field-goal percentage of 88.1% ranks fourth in NFL history among kickers with at least 100 attempts.

Looking Ahead

Despite previously expressing confidence in Moody, with both coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch supporting the kicker, Sunday’s missed field goal proved to be the final determining factor. Shanahan confirmed to reporters that the team is actively exploring all available options at the kicker position, including potential workouts and practice squad considerations.