49ers GM John Lynch Sends Strong Message on Kicker Jake Moody

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Jake Moody’s solid preseason included a game-winning 59-yard field goal against the Raiders.

Jake Moody is still the San Francisco 49ers kicker, much to the dismay of Niners fans everywhere.

Yet, president and general manager John Lynch addressed the competition between Moody and veteran Greg Joseph and what went into the decision to keep the much-maligned third-year kicker.

Moody had a stellar rookie season, making 21 of 25 field goals and leading the league in made extra points (60). But he regressed to just 70.6 percent on field goals in his second season — keeping in line with San Francisco’s highly forgettable regression season where it went 6-11 after making the Super Bowl.

Yet, Moody outperformed Joseph in camp and went 5 for 6 on extra points and 6 of 7 on field goals during San Francisco’s three preseason games. That included his 5 for 6 outing against the Las Vegas Raiders that was capped by a 59-yard game-winner on the final play of the Niners’ 22-19 win.

What Did John Lynch Say About Jake Moody’s Preseason?

Despite the missed extra point, which came in San Francisco’s preseason-closing 30-23 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, Moody was strong according to Lynch, who was surprised to read so much criticism.

“Jake had a really good preseason,” Lynch said. “I found it interesting that, after having a hell of a game in Las Vegas, a lot of people still have questions.”

Moody was still 14 for 14 on field goals inside of 40 yards last season and made all but one of his 46 kicks from inside that mark in 2024 — his only missed extra point came in Week 17 against the Detroit Lions.

But Moody, who missed three games with a high ankle sprain, never seemed to be right after the injury. He went 11 for 20 from Week 10 on and arguably cost San Francisco a win in Week 17 against the Lions by missing two field goals and an extra point in its 40-34 loss.

“I guess when you have a season like he did last year, those things are going to be there until you kind of put that away,” Lynch said. “We got a lot of belief in him, and understand that last year was rough, but that happens in guy’s careers.”

What Did John Lynch Say About The 49ers’ Kicking Competition?

To cynics, it may have seemed like the 49ers’ kicking competition was a farce, since Joseph only lasted until Aug. 4 before he was released.

Yet, Lynch pushed back against that assessment.

“I think it was an excellent competition between him and Joseph,” Lynch said. “We didn’t want that competition to end, but anyone who says it wasn’t a competition, I don’t really agree.”

But Moody won the job based on both his preseason and the fact Lynch drafted him with the 99th pick of the 2023 NFL Draft. Yet, for him to keep the job, Moody will need to be great like he was in his rookie season, according to Lynch.

“Our confidence and belief in him is what we see out here,” Lynch said. “But everything is earned in this league in each and every game, each and every year, and Jake understands that.”

Pat Pickens is an experienced sports writer and media personality who has written for outlets like NHL.com, the Associated Press, the New York Times and USA Today. He covers the NFL, NBA, NHL and NBA as a breaking news contributor at Heavy. More about Pat Pickens