49ers Kicker Competition Ends After Surprising Cut

San Francisco 49ers kicker Jake Moody had a rough end to his 2024 season, leading him into a pivotal offseason.

After riding high as a former third-round pick that shined as a rookie, Moody unfortunately he fell into a sophomore slump, which forced the 49ers into action this offseason.

Moody made 21 of 25 kicks (84 percent) as a rookie, but was 24/34 (70.6 percent) on field goals last season, which ranked 33rd among all kickers with at least 10 attempts. In his defense, he started 13/14 before an ankle injury, which lingered upon his return. The Michigan product was a worrisome 11/20 on field goals in the last nine games of the year.

Moody was then placed in a training camp competition with veteran marksman Greg Joseph this year. In truth, the Joseph signing may have been a competition tactic to motivate Moody to work hard and get back into the rhythm that got him to the league in the first place.

New special teams coordinator Brant Boyer admitted that he saw a confidence dip from Moody at the end of last year, but the young kicker seems to have regained his form.

Monday, the Niners released Joseph, terminating a competition that fans felt had only just begun. According to crazed fans who tracked social media reports, the duel had been neck and neck throughout. Moody was reportedly 21/24 on field goals, while Joseph was 22/24 to this point in camp.

NBC Sports' Matt Maiocco noticed the battle ramp up on Saturday when the two kickers went head-to-head from distances of 33, 38, 43 and 48 yards out. Joseph finished 4/4 while Moody's 48-yarder was no good.

In the end, general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan gave the youngster the upper hand as he'd apparently shown enough to kick off the rust from last season and spark enough optimism to keep him as the franchise kicker.

Ultimately, there may have been a limited amount of roster spots, and if San Francisco always knew it would only keep one kicker, it might as well rip the band-aid off the first chance there is.

Along with Joseph's cut, the 49ers announced that cornerback Tre Avery, wide receiver Isaiah Neyor, quarterback Tanner Mordecai and tight end Mason Pline were also waived.

Moody enters his fourth season with an enhanced sense of urgency and understanding of the potential harsh reality of life in the NFL.

For now, he has earned the opportunity to go prove that he deserves the job.