Commanders Make Kicker Decision After Releasing Jake Moody

The first winner from preseason battles has officially materialized for the Washington Commanders after making a roster decision following Friday's win.

The Commanders have released veteran kicker Jake Moody after one preseason game, meaning undrafted free agent Drew Stevens has won the kicker competition and will become the starter for the 2026 season.

Moody's tenure with the team is over despite a strong first regular season with the Commanders. A former third round pick by the San Francisco 49ers in 2023, Moody was signed by the Washington back on Nov. 18 from the Chicago Bears' practice squad. He went on to appear in six games for the Commanders where he finished 10-for-11, including a perfect 7-for-7 on attempts from 30 yards out or longer. His lone miss came in the regular season finale against the Philadelphia Eagles as Washington eventually won on the road.

Through three NFL seasons, Moody is 64-for-82 including makes on just 23 of his 37 career attempts from at least 40 yards out.

The Commanders elected to not tender Moody heading into free agency, only for news to emerge hours later that the front office agreed to terms to bring him back on a one-year deal. But whether a second season would ultimately materialize would became a question roughly one month later.

After initially electing to invite him to rookie minicamp, additional outside interest led the Commanders to ultimately sign former Iowa kicker Drew Stevens as an undrafted free agent where the two have remained entrenched in a competition ever since.

Despite Moody's NFL experience, it has been Stevens who was more consistent in practice while the two split duties during Friday's 20-7 preseason opening win over the Miami Dolphins. Moody's 29 yard field goal kicked off the scoring for Washington, but it went in after rattling off the upright, while Stevens drilled his 41 yard field goal attempt for the game's final points. Both kickers each made their lone extra point attempt, but Washington will bet on upside with Stevens owning the edge in leg strength.

The Commanders are set for the first of two preseason road games when they face the Detroit Lions on Saturday, Aug. 22 for a 12 PM ET kickoff. Washington will then face the Baltimore Ravens next weekend before opening the regular season against a pair of divisional opponents on the road, meaning the Commanders will return to Northwest Stadium next on Sept. 27 against the Seattle Seahawks.