In a move that few saw coming, the San Francisco 49ers are reportedly planning to part ways with second-year kicker Jake Moody in the upcoming offseason and pursue a proven veteran in free agency, according to multiple team insiders and confirmed by NFL News 24/7.
Moody, drafted in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, entered the league with high expectations and heavy scrutiny. The decision to select a kicker that early drew criticism from many analysts, and while Moody showed flashes of reliability during his rookie season, inconsistency in high-pressure situations ultimately cast a long shadow over his potential.
Now, just over a year later, the 49ers are reportedly ready to move on.
Sources close to the organization say that head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch have been frustrated with Moody’s performance in clutch moments, particularly during last season’s NFC Championship Game loss, where a missed 41-yard field goal altered the momentum of the game. Team executives have internally acknowledged that despite Moody’s strong leg and work ethic, they need more consistency from the position if they hope to finish the job and win a Super Bowl.
“The front office no longer wants to gamble with games being decided by a kicker who’s still finding his footing,” one insider said. “They want a veteran presence, someone who’s been through playoff wars and won’t blink when the spotlight is brightest.”
Several names have already surfaced as potential replacements. Among them: Robbie Gould, the former 49ers kicker who remains unsigned and maintains a strong relationship with Shanahan; veteran journeyman Nick Folk; and even four-time Pro Bowler Mason Crosby. All are on the team’s radar as the front office prepares for one of the most aggressive free agency periods in recent memory.
Releasing Moody would be a bold and expensive move. The young kicker still has two years remaining on his rookie contract, and cutting him would come with a financial hit. But the 49ers appear more focused on finishing what they started—a championship-caliber team built to win now.
Fans have been split on the news. Some still believe Moody deserves more time to develop, pointing to his long-range ability and youth. Others argue that a win-now roster can’t afford any weaknesses, especially not at a position that could decide a playoff game in a single kick.
Whatever the final decision, the writing appears to be on the wall for Jake Moody’s time in San Francisco. For a franchise that has come painfully close to glory in recent years, every move counts—and this one sends a loud message: it’s Super Bowl or bust in 2025.