49ers may cut ties with Jake Moody in favor of record-setting NFL kicker

The San Francisco 49ers are bringing in kicker competition for Jake Moody.

Moody, the 25-year old who the 49ers took in the third round in 2023, struggled to a 70 percent field goal make rate last fall.

San Francisco is at least giving itself an escape hatch if it feels it's needed.

Per multiple reports, the 49ers are bringing in veteran kicker Greg Joseph, who holds the record for most game-winning field goals in a single season.

Joseph, 30, has kicked in six NFL seasons for six different teams. He played three seasons with the Vikings, then has also appeared for the Browns, Giants, Titans, Jets and Commanders.

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In his career, Joseph has made 82.3 percent of his field goals.

Moody still will likely get the benefit of the doubt from the 49ers given the investment they have in him.

There's also a plausible explanation for Moody's 2024 struggles. He was injured early in the year, missed time and never really found his groove.

But the kicking game is too important and too fickle for teams to linger too long on the wrong guy.

If Joseph outperforms Moody significantly in the preseason, the 49ers could certainly make the switch.

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