49ers Insider Predicts Outcome of Controversial Kicker Decision

The San Francisco 49ers brought in a haul of new pieces, on both the roster and coaching staff, to wipe last season's 6-11 disappointment from memory.

Injuries forced the Niners to struggle in multiple areas, including special teams. Young kicker Jake Moody, who many were content with being San Fran's place kicker for years to come, had a letdown of a season as he was nursing an ankle injury.

The former third-round pick in 2023 was an 84% (21-25) marksman on field goals as a rookie, but his sophomore season featured a slump he is not proud of.

Last season, Moody finished ranked 33rd among all NFL kickers (minimum 10 attempts) making just 70.6% (24-34) of his field goal attempts.

“It’s unacceptable to be kicking the way I was the second half of the year,” Moody told The Athletic.

In his defense, he started 13-of-14 before his injury, which led to a shaky return. The Michigan product was a worrisome 11-of-20 on field goals in the last nine games of the year.

Throughout Moody's struggles, many 49ers fans had seen enough and were calling for a replacement.

NFL journeyman Greg Joseph was signed this free agency as a potential alternative, but Moody's time may not be over just yet.

Even with a new special teams coordinator, a new long snapper, and a new holder/punter, NBC Sports' Matt Maiocco believes Moody will remain as the Week 1 starter.

"I think Jake Moody would have to, I don't know necessarily implode, but he would just have to give off the bad vibes that they would feel like it's necessary to move on," Maiocco said on Bay Area radio station KNBR.

Moody already has all the motivation he needs heading into next season. With a slight tweak to his kicking motion, he's expecting more consistent makes this season.

He has been working out with kicking coach Brandon Kornblue and the pair has made a meticulous change to Moody's approach: he will now take just two steps to the ball rather than three.

“It’s been going great,” Moody said about the adjustment. “Obviously, when you have been doing something since the sixth grade, it was definitely challenging at the start. I had to keep telling myself to stick with it.

“The goal is more consistency because at the end of the day, that’s what keeps you in the NFL."

This adjustment, and the changes to personnel around him, should fuel Moody's fire and lead to a bounce-back season.

"I think that, in a lot of ways, [these moves have] given Jake Moody a new lease on life with the 49ers," Maiocco added. "And I do think that he is—maybe not the overwhelming favorite—but certainly the clear favorite to win that job."

With Joseph now waiting in the wings, 49ers fans can be a bit more at ease with the kicking situation if things go down hill.

But expect Moody to trot out for at least the first game or two as the starting kicker in 2025.