The Baltimore Ravens are rolling with a new kicker for their Thursday Night Football clash against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Former third-round pick Jake Moody is stepping in to handle kicking duties after Tyler Loop was placed on injured reserve Tuesday with a right groin injury, sidelining him for at least four games. This isn’t Moody’s first time with the Ravens this season, but it’s certainly his biggest opportunity to prove he belongs.
From Draft Darling to Released: Moody’s Wild Ride Back
Moody, just 26, has seen the full spectrum of NFL kicking. The San Francisco 49ers drafted him in the third round of the 2023 draft, a rare move for a kicker, showing how highly they regarded him. He rewarded them too, hitting 21 of 25 field goals, an 84% success rate, and helping the 49ers reach Super Bowl LVIII. But then, the wheels fell off. His production dipped hard in 2024, converting just 24 of 34 attempts, including a rough 4 for 9 from 50 yards or more. The struggles continued into 2025, with the 49ers cutting him after he missed two of three kicks in their season opener. Talk about a free fall!
But here’s where it gets interesting, Baltimore fans. Moody found his footing again, first with the Chicago Bears where he went 8 of 9, then crushing it with the Washington Commanders, hitting 10 of 11 attempts. That’s a combined 18 of 20, including a 90.9% rate with Washington, suggesting he’s regained that accuracy that made him a top prospect. For his career, he’s 64 of 82 (78%) with a long of 57 yards, and a near-perfect 107 of 110 on extra points. He’s been on the Ravens’ practice squad twice already this season, released in September after Loop started strong, but now he’s back with a chance to stick.
Baltimore’s Kicking Carousel Continues
The Ravens have been searching for long-term consistency at kicker since Justin Tucker’s departure, and Tyler Loop’s second season hasn’t exactly solidified the position. Loop converted 13 of 17 field-goal attempts through eight games this season, which is, well, uneven. Fans saw him miss a 34-yard attempt in the 36-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills recently. Worse, he shanked a critical 49-yard try in Week 6 against Cleveland, a game the Ravens lost by a mere 13-10 margin. You just can’t have that in big moments.
Moody offers an experienced alternative, and his recent 90% success rate with Washington is definitely encouraging. He even has a connection with Ravens coach Jesse Minter, as they were together at Michigan in 2022. That familiarity could help him transition quickly. But for Baltimore, the question isn’t just about his career stats, it’s about whether he can deliver in high-pressure situations and from long distances. This Thursday night against the Jaguars, he’s got to prove he’s the guy. He’s got the history, he’s got the recent success, now can he keep it up when it matters most?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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