The San Francisco 49ers’ 17–13 win over the Seattle Seahawks came with a stunning postscript. Minutes after the game, the team released kicker Jake Moody — and the former third-round pick wasted no time announcing his retirement.
Moody’s breaking point arrived in the first half. With a chance to put San Francisco ahead 10–7, he pushed a 27-yard chip shot off the upright. Head coach Kyle Shanahan labeled the miss “inexcusable,” sealing Moody’s fate.
Seattle capitalized on the mistake as Jason Myers drilled a 48-yarder, underscoring the gap between consistency and costly errors. Shanahan’s postgame tone made it clear that patience with Moody had officially run out.
The 24-year-old kicker later confirmed his decision to step away from football. Drafted in the third round in 2023, Moody struggled to live up to expectations, finishing 2024 with barely 70% accuracy and a rocky preseason this summer.
Former 49ers Kicker Jake Moody Retires Immediately After Being Waived pic.twitter.com/CrhSUA2DEh
— Adam Schetfer (@fanhub_nfl) September 9, 2025
The numbers tell the story: since Week 10 of last season, Moody had connected on just
12 of his last 23 field goal attempts, a slump that eroded whatever trust still remained inside the 49ers’ locker room.
“I gave everything I had, but it’s time for me to move on,” Moody said in a short statement. “I’ll always be grateful for my teammates and the fans who supported me.”
The 49ers had already cut veteran Greg Joseph this summer, choosing Moody out of roster necessity more than confidence. But after Sunday’s miss, San Francisco made clear it could not gamble further in its pursuit of a Super Bowl.
For Moody, retirement closes the book on a short but high-profile chapter. For the 49ers, the move sends a blunt message: in their Super Bowl chase, even victories won’t protect those who fall short of the standard.
