Just as it was for almost every member of the San Francisco 49ers, the 2024 season was a major disappointment for kicker Jake Moody. Heralded as one of the best kicking prospects ever, Moody had a solid start to his NFL career after the 49ers reached for him with their third-round pick in 2023. Last season, however, Moody had a sophomore slump for the ages, missing ten of his 34 field goal attempts.
Some of these struggles were attributed to the ankle injury Moody suffered in Week 5, and the 49ers never indicated that they lost faith in the 25-year-old specialist. However, they still signed veteran kicker Greg Joseph before OTAs, just to be safe.
Moody has responded to this in an ideal manner. Throughout OTAs and the Day 1 of mandatory minicamp, Moody has shown signs of returning to his usual form. 49ers insider Matt Maiocco reported on Tuesday that Moody made all of his kicks, up to 55 yards.
#49ers kicker update from minicamp: Jake Moody, showing his new shortened approach, made all kicks from 27, 32, 37, 47, 52 and 55 yards
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) June 10, 2025
Jake Moody's Change in Kicking Routine Paying Dividends
Maiocco highlighted that Moody was using his new, shortened approach in his kicks. It was reported a few weeks ago that the talented kicker was getting rid of the third step in his run-up, attempting to trade distance for increased accuracy. So far, this has proven fruitful for Moody as he enters the third season of his career.
The new approach gives Moody more time to see the ball after it's snapped because there is less running to do. That could potentially mean that there is less power, preventing Moody from hitting longer, 60+ yard field goals. For now, however, the team doesn't care. As long as Moody is feeling comfortable and confident in his new routine, and is making field goals with accuracy, the 49ers will feel pretty good about their special teams heading into next season.