Who Is Jake Moody? The NFL Kicker Making Waves in 2025
Jake Moody is a professional NFL placekicker currently on the roster of the Washington Commanders, best known for his record-setting college career at the University of Michigan and a rollercoaster path through the NFL.
Here’s a quick snapshot:
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jake Moody |
| Born | November 23, 1999 — Commerce, Michigan |
| High School | Northville High School |
| College | University of Michigan (2018–2022) |
| Drafted | 3rd round, 99th overall — 2023 NFL Draft |
| Teams | San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Bears, Washington Commanders |
| Career FG% | 76.7% (56/73 through Week 17, 2025) |
| Notable Award | Lou Groza Award (2021) |
Moody arrived in the NFL as one of the most decorated college kickers in recent memory. He won the Lou Groza Award, broke Michigan’s all-time scoring record with 355 points, and was only the second kicker since 2016 to be drafted in the top 100 picks.
His NFL story, though, has been anything but smooth. From a promising rookie season and a Super Bowl appearance to missed kicks, roster cuts, and a whirlwind walk-off game-winner for the Bears — Moody’s career is a fascinating study in pressure, resilience, and the brutal reality of playing one of football’s most scrutinized positions.
Quick look at jake moody:
The NFL Journey of Jake Moody
When we talk about the transition from college stardom to the professional grind, few positions feel the heat quite like a kicker. For Jake Moody, that heat was turned up to “broil” from the moment he stepped into the facility of the San Francisco 49ers.
The 49ers made a massive statement in the 2023 NFL Draft by selecting Moody in the 3rd round with the 99th overall pick. To put that in perspective, teams rarely use a top-100 pick on a specialist. He wasn’t just another rookie; he was the hand-picked successor to the legendary Robbie Gould, a kicker known for his “as good as gold” accuracy in the Bay Area.
His rookie year in 2023 showed exactly why the scouts were so high on him. Moody finished his first regular season with a solid 84.0% field goal percentage, knocking through 21 of 25 attempts and an impressive 60 of 61 extra points. This performance earned him a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team. You can check out his full year-by-year breakdown at Career stats at Pro Football Reference.
The ultimate highlight of his young career came on the biggest stage imaginable: Super Bowl LVIII. During the game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Moody hammered home a 55-yard field goal, which, at that exact moment, was the longest field goal in Super Bowl history. While the record was surpassed later in that same game by Harrison Butker, it proved that Moody had the leg strength to compete under the brightest lights.
Jake Moody at the University of Michigan
Before he was a pro, Moody was a legend in Ann Arbor. We often see college players who are “good,” but Moody was historic. He spent five years with the Michigan Wolverines, evolving from a walk-on commit into the most prolific scorer in the program’s long history.
His 2021 season was the stuff of legend. He became the first Michigan player ever to win the Lou Groza Award, given to the nation’s top placekicker. That year, he was a Consensus All-American and helped lead the Wolverines to a Big Ten Championship. According to his Official Michigan Wolverines profile, he finished his career as the school’s all-time leading scorer with 355 points.
Moody wasn’t just about volume; he was about distance. He holds the Michigan record for the longest field goal at 59 yards, a kick he nailed during the Fiesta Bowl. His consistency earned him the nickname “Money” among fans and teammates, a moniker that reflected his ability to stay cool when the game was on the line.
Jake Moody and the 2023 NFL Draft
Drafting a kicker in the third round is always a gamble that invites scrutiny. For the 49ers, the decision to take Jake Moody at 99th overall was about securing a long-term solution for a championship-caliber roster. He was only the fifth kicker since 2000 to be selected in the first three rounds of the draft.
Scouts from Kohl’s Kicking Camps had long praised Moody’s “outstanding leg speed,” noting that his technique was different and more explosive than almost any other player in his class. His metrics were off the charts; in practice, he had been seen booming 69-yarders. The 49ers saw a player who could not only provide high accuracy but also a massive touchback rate, which is a hidden gem for defensive field position.
Professional Struggles and the 2024 Season
If 2023 was the honeymoon phase, 2024 was where the marriage between Moody and the 49ers hit the rocks. The season started with a bang — Moody was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week in Week 1 after going a perfect 6-for-6 on field goals against the New York Jets. It looked like he was ready to take the next step into elite status.
However, the “kicker’s curse” soon followed. High-pressure misses began to mount, and an ankle sprain suffered during a kickoff return tackle slowed his momentum. By the end of his 2024 stint in San Francisco, his field goal percentage had dipped to 70.6%.
Coach Kyle Shanahan, known for his high standards, began to express public frustration. The 49ers are a team in a “win now” window, and in the NFL, patience for a struggling kicker is shorter than a goal-line chip shot. Despite his talent, the inconsistency on kicks between 40 and 49 yards became a glaring issue for a team that often found itself in tight, one-score games.
The 2025 Transition: Bears and Commanders
The 2025 season brought the most dramatic turn in Moody’s career. After a rough Week 1 performance where he missed two of three attempts, the 49ers made the difficult decision to waive their former third-round pick. In the cold world of the NFL, he went from a Super Bowl starter to “unemployed” in less than 48 hours.
But as we say in the football world, one team’s waiver is another team’s treasure. Moody was quickly signed to the Chicago Bears’ practice squad. His opportunity came knocking almost immediately when Bears veteran Cairo Santos went down with a thigh injury.
On October 13, 2025, Moody was elevated to the active roster just seven hours before a Monday Night Football clash against the Washington Commanders. In a true “whirlwind” debut, Moody shook off an earlier blocked attempt to nail a 38-yard walk-off field goal as time expired. His teammates hoisted him onto their shoulders as the Bears celebrated a 25-24 victory. He set a Bears franchise record that night for the most field goals made in a team debut (4).
His journey didn’t end in Chicago, though. Shortly after his heroics, he was signed by the Washington Commanders to their active roster, continuing his path as a modern NFL journeyman.
Career Statistics and Franchise Records
As of Week 17, 2025, Jake Moody has a career that looks like a statistical heart monitor — lots of highs and lows. While his overall field goal percentage sits at 76.7%, his “leg talent” remains undeniable.
- Total NFL Points: 293
- Career Long (NFL): 57 yards
- Touchbacks: 111 (proving his value on kickoffs)
- 49ers Rookie Record: Most points scored by a rookie in franchise history (123 in 2023)
- Bears Record: Most field goals in a debut (4)
His postseason performance is also noteworthy. In three playoff games during the 49ers’ 2023 run, he went 6-for-8 on field goals. For those who love the nitty-gritty details, his Detailed game logs show a player who is remarkably consistent on extra points (98%+), suggesting that his struggles are often more mental or situational than mechanical.
Frequently Asked Questions about Jake Moody
Why was Jake Moody released by the 49ers?
The release was a combination of performance and roster necessity. After Moody struggled in the 2025 season opener (missing two kicks), the 49ers decided they could no longer afford the “learning curve” for a young kicker. They replaced him with veteran Eddy Pineiro, who brought a higher career accuracy rate. The move coincided with other roster shifts, including placing George Kittle on Injured Reserve.
What is Jake Moody’s career-long field goal?
In the NFL, his longest successful field goal is 57 yards. However, during his time at the University of Michigan, he famously hit a 59-yarder. In practice settings, he has been documented hitting from as far as 69 yards, showcasing the elite leg strength that made him a third-round pick.
What is Jake Moody’s nickname?
His most famous nickname is “Money” Moody. This was given to him by Michigan fans and teammates because, for a two-year stretch in college, he was arguably the most reliable player on the roster. Whenever the Wolverines needed three points to seal a game, Moody was “money in the bank.”
Conclusion
At Edible Manhattan, we usually spend our time scouting the best sourdough in Brooklyn or the crispest ciders in the Hudson Valley, but we can’t help but admire the resilience of a professional athlete like Jake Moody. His career serves as a reminder that success isn’t always a straight line.
Whether he was the hero of Ann Arbor, a record-breaker in the Super Bowl, or a practice squad player fighting for his job in Chicago, Moody has shown a remarkable ability to bounce back. The “journeyman” label in the NFL is often seen as a negative, but in reality, it’s a badge of honor — it means you have the talent that teams keep coming back to, even when the road gets rocky.
As Moody continues his journey with the Washington Commanders, we’ll be watching to see if “Money” Moody can find that permanent home. In the meantime, if you’re looking for a way to celebrate your own small victories, why not Explore the best local dining in our Brooklyn guide? Much like a 55-yard field goal, a perfect meal is all about the right timing and a little bit of heart.
