Introduction
Jake Moody has emerged as one of the more intriguing kicker stories in recent NFL seasons. Drafted high for his position, he has already seen both major highs and sudden lows — from college stardom to a midseason cut, then a new opportunity with the Chicago Bears. In this deep dive, we’ll explore his path: his college career, draft and contract details, the cut by the 49ers, his salary figures, his current status with the Bears, and what is known (and not known) about his background or ethnicity.
Early Years and College Career
High School & Recruitment
Jake Moody was born on November 23, 1999, in Commerce, Michigan. He played his high school football at Northville, Michigan, where his leg strength and accuracy began to draw attention from college recruiters. His success as a high school kicker helped him land at a major program: the University of Michigan.
University of Michigan (2018–2022)
At Michigan, Moody developed into one of the most decorated kickers in college football. He entered in 2018, and over his tenure he became known for consistency and clutch kicks in big games. Some key highlights:
-
He won the Lou Groza Award (which goes to the top kicker in college football) in 2021.
-
He was a consensus All-American in 2021, and a second-team All-American in 2022.
-
At Michigan, he was named First-Team All-Big Ten twice, and Big Ten Kicker of the Year twice.
His college stats and accolades made him one of the more compelling kicking prospects heading into the NFL draft.
Because kickers rarely go in the early rounds, Moody’s strong resume gave him a shot at being drafted, which indeed happened in 2023.
Draft, Rookie Contract & 49ers Tenure
Being Drafted by the 49ers
In the 2023 NFL Draft, Jake Moody was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round, 99th overall. This is relatively high for a kicker, signaling that the 49ers had confidence in his future contribution.
Rookie Contract & Financial Terms
Upon being drafted, Moody signed a typical rookie contract (for a third-rounder) spanning 4 years. According to OverTheCap:
-
Total deal: $5,304,082 over 4 years.
-
Guaranteed money / signing bonus: $857,512
-
Base salaries and cap numbers in early years were modest, with typical rookie kicker scale.
Spotrac gives slightly different aggregate numbers: 4 years / $5,454,080, with the same signing bonus guarantee (i.e. $857,512). Differences may be due to incentives, escalators, or contract details.
In his rookie year, Moody earned $1,607,512. In 2024, his base salary was $941,095 plus a $50,000 workout bonus.
Over his tenure with the 49ers, Moody’s career earnings were projected at ~$2.7 million.
Performance & Challenges
In 2023, Moody had a solid rookie season, connecting on 21 of 25 field goal attempts, and converting nearly all extra points. However, 2024 was more of a mixed bag. In 2024, he went 24 of 24 field goals (a perfect season) and 32 of 33 extra points.
Despite this, signs of volatility in his kicking consistency (especially from longer range) drew scrutiny. After weak showings in 2025 (missing a 27-yard FG, having a 36-yard attempt blocked), the 49ers made a swift roster move.
The Cut / Waiver
Shortly after Week 1 of the 2025 season, the 49ers waived / cut Moody. The 49ers then signed other kickers to replace him, indicating a lack of confidence in his consistency.
This move underscores how high the stakes are for NFL kickers — a few misses can derail a job quickly. After being waived, Moody cleared waivers and was free to sign with any team.
Signing with the Chicago Bears
Practice Squad Deal
On September 12, 2025, it was reported that Moody agreed to join the Chicago Bears practice squad. The deal is a short-term depth signing rather than a major guaranteed contract.
The move gives him a chance to compete with Cairo Santos, who currently holds the kicking job in Chicago.
Early Impact & Recent Game Heroics
Moody made an immediate splash. In a game against the Washington Commanders, he kicked a 38-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Bears to a 25–24 win. This is a dramatic moment given how recently he had been cut, showing resilience in his professional journey.
His teammates celebrated him, and key players (like D’Andre Swift) made an effort to connect with him after the win.
That game also demonstrated how “next kick mentality” is essential for NFL kickers: Moody himself said, “You’ve got to always think about the next kick, not the previous kick.”
This kind of redemption moment helps rebuild confidence and possibly opens the door for him to earn a more stable role.
Salary, Contract Prospects & Financials
Current Compensation with Bears
As a practice squad member, Moody’s compensation is relatively low compared to roster salaries. The specific number for his current practice squad salary is not widely published yet. However, his past contract numbers give us context: his 2025 “base” number under his 49ers agreement was listed as $234,000 (with a cap hit of $221,000).
Note: That does not mean the Bears are honoring that same contract; it’s simply illustrative of what he might have been scheduled to make under his old deal. As a new signing to practice squad, his pay is likely a different arrangement.
Career Earnings Recap
From the 49ers tenure:
-
Rookie year pay: ~$1,607,512
-
2024 pay: ~$941,095 + $50,000 workout bonus
-
Total earnings up to 2024: around $2.7M (plus other bonuses)
So far, the financial upside was fueled by a higher-than-usual draft position for a kicker and the guarantees in his rookie deal.
Future Contract Outlook
If Moody performs well in Chicago, he could:
-
Be elevated from the practice squad to the active roster.
-
Earn a new one-year (or multi-year) deal as a regular kicker.
-
Have leverage to negotiate guaranteed money if teams see him as reliable in clutch situations.
However, the volatility of the kicker market means every miss is magnified — consistency and reliability will determine whether he secures a stable contract.
Ethnicity & Personal Background
Regarding ethnicity, publicly available sources (player profiles, biographies, media coverage) do not provide any special mention of a distinct or minority ethnic heritage for Jake Moody. He is generally referred to as American, born in Michigan.
Because many sports databases focus on athletic credentials rather than ethnic identity, it’s not unusual that this information is omitted unless the athlete is from a minority or immigrant lineage and is vocal about their heritage.
There is no credible source indicating that Moody is of mixed ethnicity, or belongs to a distinct ethnic minority group. Therefore, in the absence of evidence, it is safest to refer to him as American in ethnicity.
Challenges, Strengths & Future Outlook
Challenges
-
Kicker volatility: Even great college kickers can struggle under NFL pressure, especially from longer distances.
-
Limited margin for error: Misses or blocks can cost a job overnight, as was the case with the 49ers’ decision.
-
Competition: He’s competing with seasoned kickers like Cairo Santos, which means he must consistently outperform.
-
Short leash: Even now with the Bears, a few poor kicks could lead to being replaced again.
Strengths
-
Proven college track record: Moody’s resume at Michigan is elite.
-
Draft pedigree: Being a third-round pick gives him respect and some margin in negotiations.
-
Resilience: His bounce-back moment with Chicago (game-winner) is a strong narrative in his favor.
-
Youth: At his age, he has time to refine, adjust, and grow.
What to Watch Going Forward
-
Whether he remains on the Bears’ active roster beyond practice squad status.
-
His performance under pressure, especially in close games and from longer distances (>50 yards).
-
Whether the Bears eventually hand him the job full-time, or whether he becomes a journeyman kicker moving from team to team.
-
Possible future contract negotiations with guarantees if he proves reliable.
Leave a Reply