The Washington Commanders are shaking things up on their special teams, reportedly cutting kicker Jake Moody. This is a big move, a total shocker for some, and it leaves an undrafted rookie as the lone kicker on their roster with the regular season looming big.
The Kicker Conundrum
With Moody out, all eyes turn straight to undrafted rookie Drew Stevens. He is now the *only* kicker left for the Commanders, which is a wild, high-stakes roll of the dice for any team trying to get things dialed in for the season. Seriously, going into the crucial moments with just one undrafted rookie? That’s putting a ton of pressure on a young guy right away. It’s a huge gamble on a position that can absolutely make or break games on any given Sunday.
Moody’s Rocky Road
Moody’s time in Washington was pretty brief but had some decent moments. He was signed off the Bears’ practice squad during the 2025 season and actually looked solid in his six games for the Commanders. He hit 10 of his 11 field goal attempts and was perfect on 10 of 11 extra points. But clearly, despite those solid numbers, that wasn’t enough to secure his spot long-term in Washington. Before his stint there, Moody played two games for the Bears. He actually started the 2025 season with the San Francisco 49ers, who drafted him in the third round back in 2023. But the 49ers cut him loose after he missed two field goals in just Week 1 of that season. Overall, he was 45-of-59 on field goals across his first two NFL seasons. That kind of inconsistency, bouncing between teams and missing crucial kicks, even with those decent numbers he put up in Washington, usually means a short leash in this league.
So, the Commanders are betting big on Drew Stevens. Kickers are often unsung heroes or the goats, and putting all your faith in an undrafted rookie this early in the season preparation cycle is a bold strategy. Fans in Washington will be holding their breath and watching every single kick from Stevens going forward. Every single one counts! This is going to be a huge storyline to follow as the regular season gets closer, because the stability of their kicking game is absolutely critical.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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