The San Francisco 49ers didn’t get the best performance out of their special teams group on Sunday in the team’s 17-13 win over the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field.

In the contest, kicker Jake Moody missed a 27-yard field goal in the second quarter and then had a 36-yard attempt blocked in the third quarter. He finished the day 1-for-3 on field goal attempts and 2-for-2 on extra points, leading to the 49ers making a change at the position earlier this week. San Francisco released Moody and signed Eddy Piñeiro to take his spot.

On Wednesday, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan explained Moody’s release during his pre-practice media availability.

“Just I think by where it got to, there wasn’t that much of a decision,” Shanahan said. “It’s always tough with that, especially when you have a talented guy… It’s tough with a kicker. I think Jake’s got a chance to have a hell of a future. He is that talented. But, when it gets to that spot where it is, we all know how last year ended, we know how everyone was looking at him and obviously when it gets to that point, you can see it affecting him from a mental game. Then you don’t how much choice. You’ve got to move on, and hopefully Eddy will come in here and do the job.”

Shanahan explained that he didn’t struggle with the conversation either, despite spending years with the player.

“I don’t think it’s that hard to have because I think it is what it is. I mean, I think he knows he wouldn’t disagree with us,” Shanahan said. “I mean, he’d have to say why, but it looked like he lost his confidence and he wasn’t kicking the ball well enough and it was way too inconsistent. So once that happens and when your stroke in golf is changing all the time and you’re trying to fix things, trying to try not to miss it’s very hard to succeed at this level that way. There wasn’t anything I had to beat around the bush on. He knew that. To a degree, I think this will give him a chance to move on and hopefully find a place where he can get his swag back in that way.”

Moody had a strong rookie season, making 21-of-25 field goals (84%) and 60-of-61 extra points (98.4%). However, last year was much worse for him, as he made just 24-of-34 field goals (70.6%) and 32-of-33 extra points (97%).

While Moody was given the job in 2025 after an offseason battle with veteran kicker Greg Joseph, many believed the 25-year-old shouldn’t have been the team’s starter in Week 1.

Now, San Francisco’s hoping that this change can help them put up more points consistently and avoid putting their defense in bad positions after missed field goals.

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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan bluntly addresses Jake Moody’s release
Reporting by Mike Masala, Niners Wire / Niners Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect