Embattled 49ers player seeking outside help amid pressure-filled preseason

Nobody needed to see the ball go through the uprights more than Jake Moody at the end of the San Francisco 49ers' preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders. 

Moody's 59-yard field goal gave the 49ers a 22-19 win over the Raiders, and might have saved his job. San Francisco had a kicker competition in training camp, but had to cut Greg Joseph early in August so the team could sign defensive line help after numerous injuries on the unit.

Moody, who made just 70.6 percent of his field goal attempts in 2024, did not attempt a field goal in the 49ers' first preseason game. He was scrutinized for missing an attempt in the second quarter before going on to make five of his six chances against the Raiders.

Per 49ers Webzone, Moody told reporters that he sought outside help to keep his mind from going into bad places when he attempts field goals. He mentally spiraled last season when he returned from suffering a high-ankle sprain in Week 5. 

"I've been talking with a sports performance coach," Moody said. "He's really harping on process over outcome. There's nothing I can do to go back and change the past. The only thing I can do is focus on the next kick and focus on the process. 

That's as simple as running out on the field, doing a practice kick, just focusing on my steps, making sure those are good, and just not thinking about anything that's previously happened, anything that might happen in the future. Just go back to the thousands of practice reps that I've done and focus on that process."

The coaching appeared to help Moody on Saturday. After opening his night with a 30-yard make, he missed a 53-yard attempt wide left. He regained his composure and made all four of his attempts in the second half, a good sign for a young player who has shown promise.

The 2023 third-round pick had a promising rookie season, when he made 84 percent of his attempts and made the PFWA All-Rookie Team.