Jake Moody is out to prove himself to the San Francisco 49ers coaching staff after an up-and-down 2024 season. The second-year kicker faces stiff competition from veteran newcomer Greg Joseph as training camp gets underway.
Moody, a third-round draft pick in 2023, is fighting to hold off Joseph and retain the starting job. Last season, Moody missed 10 field goal attempts and one extra point, with most of his struggles coming after sustaining a high-ankle sprain. Still, the inconsistency frustrated many 49ers fans, leading some to call for a change at kicker—which never came.
The 49ers held their first training camp practice on Wednesday, and the competition is already heating up. According to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area, both Moody and Joseph were perfect on field goal attempts from 30, 35, 40, and 50 yards.
The kicking battle has even caught the eye of All-Pro defensive end Nick Bosa.
"I actually am paying attention to it—I can't lie," Bosa told reporters.
When asked what made the kicker competition so intriguing for a defensive player, Bosa simply said, "Just, it's kind of exciting."
George Kittle hadn't been following the kicker duel, but after hearing about Bosa's comments, that might change.
"Today I wasn't [paying attention]. Now I will be," Kittle said. "Forgot there was one for a second. Thank you, Nick. It will be exciting to watch. I can't wait. I love competition. It's good for the soul."
Head coach Kyle Shanahan added his perspective on the competition.
"Between the two of them, I think they missed one in OTAs," Shanahan told reporters. "So they've both been kicking real well, and it should be a really good battle this camp."
When asked if he liked what he saw from the two kickers during Wednesday's practice, Shanahan said, "Yeah, I did."
With Moody looking to bounce back and Joseph aiming to seize an opportunity, the 49ers' kicking battle has the potential to turn into an intriguing training camp storyline, especially with stars like Bosa watching closely.
