49ers Coach Shanahan Defends Kicker Moody After Multiple Misses in Opener

The San Francisco 49ers narrowly won their season opener against the Seattle Seahawks 17-13, but the victory was heavily overshadowed by ongoing struggles from kicker Jake Moody, who missed a 27-yard field goal and had a 36-yard attempt blocked. Despite Moody's history of missed kicks, including 10 field goals and an extra point in 2024, head coach Kyle Shanahan has publicly expressed unwavering confidence in Moody's position as the team's kicker, stating "no question" about Moody starting in Week 2. However, there is a clear division within the locker room, with some players expressing cautious hope for Moody's performance under pressure, while others avoid commenting on his reliability. Shanahan attributed the blocked kick to deeper protection issues rather than Moody's individual performance, emphasizing the need to evaluate the special teams unit as a whole. Notably, defensive leader Nick Bosa and other key players have shown support for Moody despite his inconsistencies, underscoring the tension between maintaining team morale and addressing performance concerns. The 49ers now face the challenge of balancing faith in their third-round draft pick with the imperative to secure a dependable kicking game for the season ahead.