49ers to waive struggling kicker

Jake Moody had an up-and-down San Francisco 49ers tenure

Moody impressed as a rookie by converting 84.0 percent of his field goals and a league-high 60 extra points on 61 attempts. In 2024, he got off to a hot start with six field goals in Week 1 and a 93.9 percent conversion rate through five weeks before an ankle injury sidelined him for three games. The 25-year-old struggled from distance for the rest of the season, making just five of his 14 attempts from over 40 yards.

The 49ers explored other kicker options this offseason and signed six-year veteran Greg Joseph as potential competition, but new special teams coordinator Brant Boyer still expressed confidence in Moody. Joseph was cut before the preseason, and Moody went 6-of-7 on field goals and 5-of-6 on extra points to stave off any chance of a last-minute signing.

Jake Moody's Week 1 struggles are the cause of his release

Moody underperformed in the 49ers’ regular-season opener against the Seahawks with a 27-yard field goal clanging off the left upright and another attempt from 36 yards getting blocked. That kept the game close and forced San Francisco to score a touchdown with 1:34 remaining to win the game.

The 49ers don’t have another kicker on their active roster or practice squad, so they will need to make an addition before Week 2. Re-signing Joseph would be the team’s most obvious option. He worked out for the Bills and the Dolphins in late August, but neither visit resulted in a deal. Several teams have kickers that could be poached from their practice squads — including Matt Prater in Buffalo and Riley Patterson in Miami — and several veteran free agents are also available.