Many have criticized the San Francisco 49ers over kicker Jake Moody. It started with the selection of Moody back in 2023 with their third-round pick, the 99th overall pick, to be exact.
Since being drafted, many analysts have talked about how he has underperformed.
This past Sunday in Week 1's victory over the Seattle Seahawks was no different. He went 1-of-3 on his field goals, including missing a chip shot from 27 yards outon his first attempt.
It's something NBC Sports reporter Matt Maiocco didn't hold back on, both during the game and immediately thereafter.
Jake Moody.
Miss from 27 yards out.
Brutal.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) September 7, 2025
About a minute later, he brought up that kicker Greg Joseph — who was on the 49ers during preseason before being cut in favor of Moody — is available:
Greg Joseph has remained in shape, and he's awaiting a phone call.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) September 7, 2025
Then, a little more than half-an-hour later, Maiocco talked down about San Francisco's special teams:
The 49ers' special teams right now is in 2024 form. No, take that back. It's worse.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) September 7, 2025
The post came after Jake Moody's second attempt was blocked. In Moody's defense, you can't put the blame of the blocked field goal on him. However, allowing the Seahawks to create the block in the first place is not excusable. And it's more of a blemish on special teams coordinator Brant Boyer's part.
It's too early to judge Boyer based on one game. Plus, based off his success during his nine years with the New York Jets before taking over special teams duties in San Francisco, he should be a big improvement for the 49ers.
Boyer led a special teams unit that tied for second in total touchdowns (nine), second in blocked punts (eight) and was tied for fifth in special teams points scored (63) and opponent kickoff-return average (21.8).
As for Moody, he did come away with a field goal when it mattered most in the fourth quarter to even the score. And he was perfect on both of his extra points. He will need to be more consistent if head coach Kyle Shanahan wants to keep him on the roster moving forward, though.
However, consistency hasn't been Moody's strong suit; a much different story of where Moody was back in college. In his last two seasons with Michigan, he made 52 of his 60 field-goal attempts and was named an All-American in 2022. He also didn't miss a single extra point during his entire time in college.
On NBC Sports' 49ers postgame show, Maiocco doubled down on his in-game sentiments, effectively saying the Niners now have no other choice but to move on from Moody, particularly if players within the locker room can't hold back their frustrations.
If something doesn't change for Moody, should Shanahan opt to keep him, the kicker will end up as Roberto Aguayo, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' infamous draft bust of a specialist who is a prime example of why kickers don't get drafted in the top 100.
Hopefully, things turn around for Moody and the 49ers' sake.
Unless Maiocco's sentiments turn into a roster reality, of course.