49ers Part Ways with Former Third-Round Pick Jake Moody, Sign Veteran Kicker Eddy Pineiro

End of the Road for 49ers’ Kicking Experiment

The San Francisco 49ers have waived Jake Moody after his performance in their 17-13 season-opening win at Seattle proved to be the final straw in a rocky tenure with the team.

Moody, who was the highest-drafted kicker in seven years when the 49ers selected him in 2023, struggled to maintain consistency, finishing 32nd in the NFL in field-goal percentage last season.

The Final Straw

In Sunday’s game against Seattle, Moody went 1-for-3 on field goals, hitting the upright on a 27-yard attempt and having a 36-yard attempt blocked by the Seahawks. The missed kicks clearly frustrated his teammates, with Fox broadcaster Pam Oliver reporting that two 49ers players threw their helmets on the sidelines.

A New Direction

The 49ers have moved quickly to address their kicking situation by signing Eddy Pineiro, who spent the past three seasons with the Panthers. Pineiro’s career field-goal percentage of 88.1% ranks fourth in NFL history among kickers with at least 100 attempts.

Moody’s Legacy

Despite his struggles, Moody had shown promise in his rookie 2023 season, setting a record for the longest field goal by a rookie kicker in franchise history (57 yards), making crucial kicks in playoff games, and converting three field goals in Super Bowl LVIII. He made 21 out of 25 field goal attempts and 60 out of 61 extra point attempts in that first year, earning a spot on the PFWA NFL All-Rookie Team.

However, the 2024 season proved challenging as he converted just 24 of 34 field goals. An ankle injury in Week 5 affected his performance, and tensions peaked during a November game against Tampa Bay when he missed three consecutive field goals, leading to a sideline confrontation with teammates.