The San Francisco 49ers’ decision to part ways with kicker Jake Moody on September 9, 2025, marked a stunning end to a once-promising tenure that began with high expectations. Selected as the 99th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft—the highest a kicker had been chosen since 2016—Moody was seen as a cornerstone for the 49ers’ special teams, bringing range and reliability to a team with Super Bowl aspirations. However, a combination of inconsistency, injuries, and mounting frustration culminated in his release after a disastrous performance in the season opener, paving the way for veteran Eddy Pineiro to take his place.
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Moody, a former Michigan star, entered the NFL with a reputation for clutch performances and a powerful leg. The 49ers, under head coach Kyle Shanahan, envisioned him as a long-term solution to their kicking woes, banking on his ability to deliver in high-pressure situations. His rookie season in 2023 showed flashes of potential, with a solid overall performance despite a critical miss on a potential game-winner in Cleveland. However, the cracks began to show in Super Bowl 58, where Moody’s low extra-point kick was blocked, contributing to a tied game that forced overtime. That miss, while not the sole reason for the loss, lingered in the minds of fans and teammates alike.
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The 2024 season started with promise for Moody, who appeared to have regained his form. But an ankle injury in Week 5 derailed his momentum. His return against Tampa Bay was a disaster, with three missed kicks and a heated confrontation with star wide receiver Deebo Samuel. The struggles continued in snowy Buffalo, where he missed two more kicks, and his final three games saw him convert just 2 of 6 field-goal attempts. Each miss seemed to chip away at the confidence of both Moody and the 49ers’ organization.
The breaking point came during the 2025 season opener in Seattle. Moody went 1-for-3 on field goals, hitting the upright on a 27-yard attempt and having a 36-yard try blocked by the Seahawks. The misses visibly frustrated his teammates, with Fox broadcaster Pam Oliver noting that two 49ers players threw their helmets in anger on the sidelines. The San Francisco Chronicle later reported an anonymous player expressing exasperation with Moody’s inconsistency, a sentiment that echoed the growing discontent within the locker room
Post-game, Shanahan initially seemed to back Moody, stating there was “no question” about his kicking game. However, during a Monday conference call, he walked back those comments, hinting at potential changes. “We are looking into all that stuff now. There are options,” Shanahan said. “Whether to stay at status quo, we could bring guys in for a workout, practice squad, but we are going through all that stuff right now.” The writing was on the wall, and by Tuesday afternoon, the 49ers had officially waived Moody, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Hours after Moody’s release, the 49ers moved quickly to fill the void, signing veteran kicker Eddy Pineiro to the active roster, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Pineiro, 29, brings a wealth of experience, having kicked for three teams over five NFL seasons, most recently with the Carolina Panthers. His career field-goal accuracy of 88.1% ranks fourth all-time in the NFL, though his 10 missed extra points and a career-long of 56 yards suggest he may lack the range the 49ers initially sought in Moody. Pineiro, who was let go by Carolina earlier in the offseason and worked out for Miami and Buffalo without signing, now steps into a high-pressure role with a team desperate for stability.
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The 49ers’ decision to draft Moody in the third round was a bold one, reflecting their belief in his potential to be a game-changer. His training camp battle with veteran Greg Joseph in 2025—where Moody went 21-for-24 compared to Joseph’s 22-for-24—convinced the team to stick with their young kicker despite his struggles. However, Sunday’s performance in Seattle proved to be the final straw, burning through the last of the 49ers’ patience.
Moody’s release underscores the brutal reality of the NFL, where even high draft picks are not guaranteed long-term roles. For a team with championship aspirations, the margin for error is razor-thin, and Moody’s inconsistency became a liability they could no longer afford. As Pineiro steps in, the 49ers hope his experience and accuracy can stabilize their kicking game. For Moody, the journey continues elsewhere, with the lessons of a rookie nightmare serving as a harsh reminder of the NFL’s unrelenting demands.