Jake Moody’s NFL tour has taken another turn, and this one comes with a fresh opportunity in Atlanta.
The former 49ers kicker, who had an audition last week with the Baltimore Ravens, appears to have made enough of an impression to keep moving. The Falcons cut veteran kicker Nick Folk and signed Moody off Baltimore’s practice squad, extending the unusual run he has been on since San Francisco moved on from him after a rough Week 1 last season.
Since leaving the 49ers, Moody has bounced from the Chicago Bears to the Washington Commanders to Baltimore and now to Atlanta, all in a little over a year. For all the instability, he has at least shown he can handle the job when called upon. Between his stops in Chicago and Washington last season, he hit 18 of 20 field goals.
His Ravens workout last Thursday also went well. Moody drilled a 53-yard field goal in rainy weather and converted his lone extra point attempt, which helped open the door to this latest chance with the Falcons. The question now is whether he can actually stick.
It’s a little surprising Atlanta didn’t land him sooner, because that would have set up a matchup with the 49ers in Week 7. Moody still hasn’t faced San Francisco since his release, but that meeting feels like it’s only a matter of time.
For the 49ers, though, Moody’s latest stop is more of a footnote than a concern. Their own kicking situation has been shaky, too.
Through the first seven games, Eddy Pineiro had already missed more kicks than he did all of last year. He steadied things in Week 9 against the Las Vegas Raiders, making every field goal and extra point attempt, so maybe he’s turning the corner.
If not, the Niners could always bring Folk in for a look and add a little pressure.
Moody’s journey doesn’t look finished yet. If Atlanta moves on from him, another team later in the season could come calling, and the long-awaited showdown with his old club might finally happen.
In Other News...
49ers Just Added A New Wrinkle To Their Mike Evans Question
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What makes this one especially interesting in San Francisco is the overlap with Mike Evans, who is still working back from injury. Allen was asked about the history between the two and made it clear the issue is in the rearview mirror, which removes one potential distraction as the 49ers wait for Evans to return and sort out how all the pieces fit together. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Trade Deadline Push For A Star Receiver Went Further Than Fans Knew
The 49ers were active behind the scenes as the trade deadline approached, and their search for help went beyond the usual rumor mill. According to ESPNs Rich Cimini, San Francisco checked in on Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson, a sign the team was at least exploring a major swing to bolster its passing game. New York never opened the door to real negotiations, but the inquiry fits the broader picture of a front office looking for impact talent if the right opportunity surfaced.
San Francisco also had its eye on Chargers edge rusher Khalil Mack, another move that would have addressed a different need with a proven veteran. Los Angeles never made Mack available, leaving the 49ers to keep working through alternatives, including a possible pivot to Keenan Allen once those earlier avenues stalled. It is the kind of deadline posture that says plenty about the teams ambitions, even if the biggest names never got close to changing uniforms. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Receiver Move Reveals A Bigger Wrinkle In Their Injury Plan
The 49ers latest receiver addition did not come together overnight, and John Lynch said the path to Keenan Allen started with interest in another player before conversations shifted to Allen about two and a half weeks ago. For San Francisco, the move fits a familiar late-season pattern: patching together depth while trying to keep the offense functional, especially with the wide receiver room still dealing with a mix of players coming back and others staying out.
What makes the situation more delicate is the learning curve waiting for Allen once he gets in the building. Lynch and Kyle Shanahan both acknowledged how difficult it can be to absorb the 49ers playbook on the fly, so the team has already added extra meetings to help him get ready for upcoming games. It is the kind of adjustment San Francisco has had to make before, but this one comes with the added pressure of an injury picture that is still shifting around him. [Read more 🡒]