The San Francisco 49ers took a big risk in using a third-round selection on kicker Jake Moody in the 2023 NFL Draft, but the Michigan alum made it worth their while as a rookie, connecting on 68 of 70 extra-point attempts between the regular season and playoffs and 27 of 33 field goals, with all but one of his misses in the latter category coming from 40 yards or more.
But after the Michigan alum missed 10 field goals in 2024 and two of three in San Francisco's 2025 season-opening win over the Seattle Seahawks, the Niners were left with no other choice but to cut him. Moody signed with the Chicago Bears' practice squad three days later.
To replace Moody, of course, the Niners brought in Eddy Pineiro, who spent two seasons with the Bears from 2019 to 2020 after starting his NFL career with the Las Vegas Raiders and has since spent time with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers.
To replace Moody, of course, the 49ers brought in Eddy Pineiro, who spent two seasons with the Bears from 2019 to 2020 after starting his NFL career with the Las Vegas Raiders and has since spent time with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers. We suggested this option back in April, by the way.
The decision initially looked like a disaster, as Pineiro failed to convert his very first kick in a Niners uniform, missing an extra-point attempt in San Francisco's Week 2 matchup against the New Orleans Saints. Since then, though, the 30-year-old has been absolutely perfect, hitting all six of his extra-point attempts and all 11 of his field-goal tries. And with a spectacular performance last Thursday in the Niners' 26-23 upset victory over the Los Angeles Rams, Pineiro has made it crystal clear that the 49ers made the right choice to bring him in, as he's been named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for Week 5.
He's been straight 💰
Your NFC Special Teams Player of the Week: https://t.co/u4UpfJyNBo pic.twitter.com/AAvC3EmiBg
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 8, 2025
And deservedly so.
In addition to hitting both of his point-after attempts, the former Florida Gator connected on field goals from 20, 37, and a career-high 59 yards in regulation and then hit a 41-yarder in overtime to give the 49ers a three-point lead before the San Francisco defense shut the Rams down to seal the victory.
Pineiro has earned this honor three previous times in his career and is now the third 49ers kicker in the last 10 years to do so, joining Robbie Gould, who won it seven times, and Moody, who earned the accolade in Week 1 a season ago.