The San Francisco 49ers Have a Jake Moody Problem

Let’s be honest, the Jake Moody situation with the 49ers is starting to feel like a bad comedy sketch. You know the one: the team keeps trotting out a kicker who seems to have a magnetic aversion to the uprights, and everyone watching—from seasoned vets to the fans in the nosebleeds—is collectively holding their breath, waiting for the inevitable shank. It’s a weekly drama series nobody asked for, and yet, here we are.

Moody Is Being Heavily Criticized

Former 49ers great Richard Sherman, never one to mince words, basically said what every member of the Faithful is screaming at their television sets. After Moody missed a chip shot 27-yarder against the Seahawks, Sherman took to his podcast to unleash a tirade that was dripping with pure, unadulterated frustration.

“It’s not acceptable for the position,” Sherman said, his voice a mix of bewilderment and indignation. “Like 76 percent for a kicker in the National Football League is horrible… It’s like a quarterback throwing for 50 percent, eventually, you’ve got to replace him.”

And he’s not wrong. That’s the crux of it, isn’t it? The special teams unit is supposed to be, well, special. When your coach is visibly contemplating going for it on fourth down from inside the 20, it’s not a strategic masterstroke; it’s a glaring vote of no confidence in your kicker. That’s a Moody problem.

The Jake Moody Problem Isn’t Going Away

So, what gives? The 49ers spent a third-round draft pick on Moody. A third-round pick. For a kicker. That’s like using a golden ticket from Willy Wonka to buy a pack of gum. You expect that investment to pay off, not leave you with a sour taste in your mouth. Sherman called it “unnecessary,” and it’s hard to argue. Was there a mad dash for kickers that nobody else knew about? It seems the 49ers outsmarted themselves on that one.

Despite the mounting evidence that Moody might just not have “it,” Head Coach Kyle Shanahan is sticking to his guns, publicly reaffirming his commitment to the struggling kicker. It’s a move that feels less like a vote of confidence and more like stubborn pride. Shanahan is coddling his draft pick, refusing to admit defeat.

Will the 49ers Pay the Price For a Moody Kicker?

This isn’t just about missed points; it’s about the ripple effect of dread that cascades through the entire team. When the offense grinds out a tough drive, they shouldn’t have to cross their fingers and pray that the easiest part of the scoring process doesn’t go horribly wrong. Remember Deebo Samuel getting in Moody’s face last year? That wasn’t just a moment of frustration; it was a reflection of a locker room that expects everyone to pull their weight.

The unfortunate reality for 49ers fans is that they’re stuck with Moody, at least for now. Shanahan’s refusal to make a change is a high-stakes gamble. The team better hope the offense can put up enough touchdowns to make the kicking game irrelevant. Because if a crucial game this season comes down to the leg of their moody kicker, the 49ers might just find themselves on the wrong side of a very predictable disaster.