After Jake Moody’s rough performance against the Buccaneers, where he missed three field goals, most NFL teams would be seriously considering letting their kicker go. Those misses kept the Buccaneers within striking distance, turning what could have been a comfortable lead into a nail-biter. Though Moody ultimately redeemed himself by nailing the game-winning field goal, the close call should have raised major concerns about his reliability. Yet, for the 49ers, cutting Moody isn’t on the table.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers organization have invested heavily in Moody. Drafted in the third round—a highly unusual move for a kicker—the pick was met with widespread criticism. Using such a valuable selection on a kicker seemed risky at best, especially when history shows that reliable kickers can often be found much later in the draft or even in free agency. But with the legendary Robbie Gould’s tenure in San Francisco ending, Shanahan saw Moody as a necessary replacement, believing it was worth the high draft cost. However, each of Moody’s missteps on the field now casts doubt on that decision.
Cutting Moody would be a tacit admission by Shanahan that he overreached with the pick, and he’s shown he’s not keen on acknowledging mistakes publicly or through his actions. After all, the Trey Lance trade was one of the few times he conceded an error, and even that move came with the narrative that Brock Purdy’s rise justified it. With Moody, Shanahan likely sees sticking with him as a matter of pride and a refusal to admit that he misjudged the importance of selecting a kicker so high.
Across the league, teams know that a solid special teams unit is essential for consistent success, and yet the 49ers’ struggles in this area persist. Special teams play cost San Francisco 16 points in the Buccaneers game, and Moody was largely to blame. While elite special teams play isn’t always necessary, being functional in this phase is vital to support a team with championship aspirations. For the 49ers, who aim to contend every year, retaining Moody despite his struggles could be a risky gamble that may haunt them in critical moments.
In the end, while bringing in someone like Anders Carlson or any veteran kicker to replace Moody could improve the special teams unit, it’s unlikely Shanahan will make that move. He appears set on riding out the growing pains with Moody, hoping his confidence will pay off. But if Moody’s struggles cost them a critical game down the stretch, Shanahan’s commitment may be questioned by fans and analysts alike.
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