Bears take a chance on cast-off kicker Jake Moody

The Chicago Bears are adding a new leg to their kicking game, signing Jake Moody to their practice squad, per multiple reports.

Moody was released by the San Francisco 49ers after missing multiple kicks in their narrow Week 1 victory on the road against the Seattle Seahawks.

Moody won the Lou Groza Award in 2021 at Michigan, and was a two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection for the Wolverines. His impressive track record at the college level led to him being a surprise third-round pick by the 49ers, who took him with the No. 99 overall selection in 2023.

But Moody has struggled to live up to the high expectations that come with being an early-round pick at the position, failing to consistently hit even the kinds of kicks that should be automatic for an NFL kicker.

In Chicago, Moody now gets a chance to compete with Cairo Santos for the starting job, as the Bears hope a change of scenery can possibly unlock the success Moody enjoyed in the college ranks.