(670 The Score) Third-year kicker Jake Moody was signed by the Bears one month ago Monday, when he became a hero for his new team.
Moody connected on four field goals, including the game-winning 38-yarder on the final play, in the Bears’ 25-24 win over the Commanders at Northwest Stadium. He stepped in for kicker Cairo Santos, who was ruled inactive due to a right thigh injury.
For Moody, celebrating the victory also meant meeting many of his teammates for the first time.
“I’m glad to be on the team, glad to be a part of this and can’t wait to formally meet everybody else at some point,” Moody told reporters postgame at Northwest Stadium.
The Bears signed Moody to their practice squad on Sept. 13, just days after he was waived by the 49ers. A third-round pick in 2023, Moody struggled with accuracy in San Francisco. He was 1-for-3 on field-goal attempts in the 49ers' win in their season opener and had made 74.2% of his kicks in his tenure in San Francisco.
Santos practiced in full last week as the Bears prepared for their trip to Washington, but he suffered an apparent setback and was ruled inactive 90 minutes prior to kickoff.
The Bears recovered a fumble with 3:07 remaining in regulation while trailing 24-22 and then set up Moody for the game-winning kick from 38 yards out.
“I mean, it feels amazing, obviously,” Moody said. “Hitting a game-winner is always a good time. Doing it for a new team in my first game, it’s huge.
“Glad to be a part of a team like this, and we’re going to keep moving forward.”