Frustration Mounts for 49ers After Game
Discontent is rising among the San Francisco 49ers following a narrow 17-13 win against the Jerkhawks. During the game, the team struggled with a blocked field goal attempt in the third quarter, and it really seemed to bother some players on the sideline.
Jake Moody managed to drill a 27-yard kick early on, yet his performance this season has been shaky. After a disappointing 2024 campaign where he missed ten field goals, there are concerns about his consistency.
Following the blocked attempt, reporter Pam Oliver noted visible frustration on the sidelines, highlighting a couple of players’ reactions. She mentioned, “We saw two helmets and a lot of disgruntled faces.” Head coach Kyle Shanahan remains optimistic about Moody’s potential to bounce back, citing his injury as a major factor in last year’s struggles.
Despite this, Shanahan firmly stated after the game that there’s no question about Moody’s place on the roster. He emphasized, “I have no doubts about him,” further adding that he takes every day as it comes.
Moody had an impressive rookie season in 2023, converting 21 of 25 attempts, but last season really hit him hard. He managed to make just 24 of 34 kicks and struggled particularly with long-range attempts, only scoring on 10 of 20 attempts from over 40 yards.
In the last three matches, his efforts haven’t improved much. With only two successful kicks out of six attempts and no extra points, the skepticism continues. Moody switched up his technique this offseason, opting for a simpler two-step process, moving away from his previous three-step method that’s led to earlier successes.
The 49ers selected him over Greg Joseph back in 2023, and now Moody feels a lot of pressure. He mentioned, “I want to prove to myself that I belong,” emphasizing his focus on the present rather than past failures.
Though his potential might have seemed promising, questions loom about his future after a missed 27-yard attempt as the first half ended, along with a blocked 36-yard attempt later on. In a surprising turn, he did manage to tie the game with a successful 32-yard kick in the fourth quarter, allowing Brock Purdy to lead a winning touchdown drive just before time ran out.
Looking ahead, the 49ers are set to face the Saints next week. Should Moody continue to struggle, the team might be compelled to invite other kickers for tryouts. The stakes are high, and Moody knows it.
