Breaking news out of Chicago has sent ripples across the NFL landscape as the Bears announced they are bringing in former San Francisco 49ers kicker Jake Moody to join their practice squad. The move, confirmed by insider Jordan Schultz, instantly raises eyebrows around the league given the Bears’ long-standing reliance on Cairo Santos, one of the more steady and dependable legs in recent years. The decision to bring in Moody, who is only 25 years old and was a high draft pick by San Francisco, signals a fresh chapter in Chicago’s ongoing search for consistency and long-term stability at one of football’s most unique and pressure-packed positions. While this is technically a practice squad signing, it is widely viewed as a strategic maneuver to create healthy competition and perhaps challenge the status quo at kicker in a franchise that has endured its share of infamous kicking storylines.
Jake Moody was drafted in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, a rare moment in modern football where a kicker went early enough to indicate genuine faith in his leg. Coming out of the University of Michigan, Moody had built a reputation as a clutch performer with deep range and a calm demeanor under pressure. For the 49ers, a franchise with Super Bowl aspirations, the hope was that Moody would become the reliable long-term answer to a position that often swings playoff fortunes. While he had moments of brilliance, his tenure in San Francisco was also marked by inconsistency, missed kicks in critical moments, and the type of scrutiny that can weigh heavily on a young kicker. In the NFL, especially on contending teams, patience is limited, and the pressure to deliver immediately is relentless. Now, his fresh start in Chicago could be the lifeline he needs to reset his career trajectory.
For the Bears, the timing of this move is intriguing. Cairo Santos has been a model of consistency over the last few years. Since joining Chicago in 2020, Santos has converted at a reliable rate, rarely missing from inside 40 yards and giving the Bears the kind of stability they have lacked since the painful memory of the 2018 playoff miss by Cody Parkey, now forever known as the “double doink.” That moment haunted the franchise and its fans, leading to a carousel of tryouts and patchwork solutions before Santos emerged as the steady hand. Yet, even with Santos performing well, NFL front offices know the importance of always planning ahead, keeping competition alive, and preparing for the future. Bringing in Moody may not necessarily signal a lack of trust in Santos, but it does ensure that no complacency sets in and that Chicago has options should things change.
It is worth noting that Santos, now in his early 30s, has logged significant mileage on his leg. While he has not shown serious decline, kickers can sometimes fall off unexpectedly, whether due to physical wear, mental fatigue, or the natural volatility of the position. By adding Moody to the practice squad, the Bears are essentially hedging their bets. They get to evaluate a young kicker with a pedigree, keep him within their system, and potentially groom him for a more prominent role if circumstances dictate. For Moody, the opportunity is equally significant. Practice squad roles may not generate headlines like starting jobs, but they provide a critical runway for players to refine mechanics, learn under new coaching, and demonstrate improvement behind the scenes. In Chicago, Moody will have the time and space to reset away from the bright spotlight that followed him in San Francisco.
The dynamic between Moody and Santos will be one of the more compelling subplots of the Bears’ season. Santos has earned respect not just for his accuracy, but for his leadership and resilience. His journey through injuries and team changes earlier in his career forged a veteran presence that Chicago values. Now he faces the challenge of a young kicker breathing down his neck, a reminder of how quickly roles can change in the NFL. For Santos, this could serve as extra motivation to maintain his high level of performance. For Moody, the presence of such a proven veteran provides an invaluable learning opportunity. Kicking is as much a mental game as it is physical, and watching how Santos prepares, responds to pressure, and carries himself could accelerate Moody’s growth.
From a broader perspective, this signing underscores how much the Bears understand the critical importance of special teams. In a league where games so often come down to a field goal in the final minutes, the difference between good and great franchises often hinges on trust in the kicker. Chicago, a team looking to build momentum around quarterback Caleb Williams and a retooled roster, knows it cannot afford to overlook any phase of the game. Adding Moody represents a calculated investment in making sure no stone is left unturned in pursuit of progress. The Bears’ coaching staff, led by Matt Eberflus, has emphasized discipline and execution. Bringing in Moody aligns with that philosophy, ensuring that competition extends beyond offense and defense and into the often-overlooked third phase.
There is also a psychological aspect at play. When teams create competition at kicker, it sharpens focus for everyone involved. Coaches, players, and fans all become more attuned to performance in those moments when three points are on the line. Santos will undoubtedly feel the added scrutiny, and Moody will be acutely aware that every attempt in practice is a chance to prove he belongs. Unlike other positions where mistakes can be masked by teammates, kicking is a solitary endeavor. Success or failure rests squarely on one leg, one swing, one mental approach. That reality makes the Bears’ decision all the more fascinating. They are essentially saying they want to cultivate an environment where nothing is taken for granted.
Jake Moody’s skill set gives Chicago some intriguing possibilities. At Michigan, he showed not only accuracy but the kind of leg strength that could stretch into the mid-50s and beyond. In windy, cold-weather games at Soldier Field, that kind of power becomes a valuable asset. Santos has proven reliable, but he does not possess the same raw distance as Moody. If the young kicker can harness consistency, the Bears could eventually have a weapon capable of flipping game scripts in tough conditions. Chicago fans are well aware of how brutal winter weather can make even simple kicks treacherous. A young, strong leg like Moody’s, refined over time, could give the Bears confidence in situations where field position and long-range kicks are critical.
There is, of course, the counterpoint that Moody’s struggles in San Francisco may not magically vanish just because he is in a new city. The pressure of the NFL is unrelenting, and the margins for kickers are razor-thin. A couple of misses can erode confidence quickly, and a practice squad role is not immune from those realities. However, change of scenery has often revived careers across the league. Kicking coaches, different holders, new long snappers, and adjusted schemes can all impact performance. Chicago may believe that with the right environment, Moody’s natural ability can resurface and stabilize into a career arc that once justified his high draft selection. The Bears are essentially making a low-risk, high-reward move by bringing him in, and given the stakes of the NFL season, that type of decision-making reflects sound strategy.
For Bears fans, the announcement will spark debate. On one hand, Santos has been a beloved figure, the calm after years of turbulence at kicker. On the other, the memory of heartbreak in playoff games lingers, and any move to strengthen the kicking room will be met with cautious optimism. Some fans will view this as unnecessary, perhaps even disrespectful to Santos. Others will see it as a smart piece of forward thinking by the front office, a proactive step to avoid being caught unprepared. In the end, results will dictate perception. If Moody develops and thrives, fans will applaud the foresight. If Santos continues to shine and Moody never ascends, the move still serves as insurance. That is the nature of competition in professional sports.
This development also adds a layer of intrigue to the Bears’ long-term roster construction. With Caleb Williams at quarterback, DJ Moore as a top receiving option, and a defense continuing to be rebuilt, Chicago is trying to close the gap with NFC contenders. In close games against teams like Detroit, Green Bay, or even a playoff opponent down the road, the kicker could be the difference. It is no exaggeration to say that playoff games, legacies, and even jobs hinge on one swing of the leg. By adding Moody, the Bears are making sure they are not leaving such a crucial variable to chance.
For Jake Moody personally, this could mark the turning point of his professional journey. Every young player faces adversity, but kickers feel it differently. Being drafted high by a Super Bowl-caliber team created immense expectations, and the scrutiny that followed when he stumbled was intense. Now, at 25, he gets the gift of perspective. With the Bears, he has a chance to learn, grow, and potentially write a new chapter. The road back to a starting job may not be immediate, but being on a practice squad means he remains in the ecosystem of the league, with opportunities always just one injury or slump away. If he can demonstrate reliability in practice, he may even position himself as trade bait or the eventual heir in Chicago.
In the final analysis, the Chicago Bears’ decision to add Jake Moody to their practice squad is far more than a routine transaction. It represents a commitment to competition, a safeguard against complacency, and an acknowledgment of the importance of special teams in determining success. For Moody, it is a second chance. For Santos, it is a reminder that the NFL never stops moving forward. For the Bears, it is about preparing for every possible scenario in their quest to rise again in the NFC. And for fans, it is another storyline to follow, another reminder that in football, even the smallest moves can carry the weight of future outcomes. Whether this becomes a footnote or a turning point remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: in Chicago, the kicker position will never be overlooked again.
