49ers Waive Kicker Jake Moody, Sign Eddy Pineiro After Performance Issues

Following the San Francisco 49ers' narrow 17-13 victory over the Seattle Seahawks, head coach Kyle Shanahan announced the decision to release kicker Jake Moody due to his inconsistent performance and the mental toll it appeared to have on him. Despite Moody's evident talent and potential for a strong future, Shanahan acknowledged that the kicker's confidence had faltered, leading to critical missed field goals and a blocked attempt that contributed to ongoing special teams struggles dating back to the previous season. Shanahan explained he had held onto Moody partly to avoid regretting the release if Moody had blossomed into a Pro Bowl kicker elsewhere, recalling a similar past experience. The 49ers quickly signed veteran kicker Eddy Piñeiro, who brings a solid career field-goal percentage, aiming to stabilize the kicking game ahead of their next matchup. This move reflects a broader organizational shift to address special teams concerns that have persisted despite Moody's previous opportunities and the team's investment in him as a third-round draft pick. Shanahan emphasized the necessity of moving on to improve team performance, expressing hope that Moody can find success in a new setting.