The Washington Commanders will have a new starting kicker in 2026 after electing to not tender kicker Jake Moody ahead of free agency
The Washington Commanders will officially have to add a new kicker this offseason.
Reports broke on Tuesday morning that Washington will not tender kicker Jake Moody, making him an unrestricted free agent ahead of the start of free agency set to officially begin next week.
This will mark the third new kicker for the team in as many seasons.
The lowest tender amount for a restricted free agent is $3.52 million for the right of first refusal tender, per Over The Cap.
Moody, a former third round pick by the San Francisco 49ers in 2023, was signed by the team 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.
Moody spent two games with the Chicago Bears in 2025 where he finished 8-for-9, including a game-winning 38 years field goal against the Commanders in a 25-24 loss for Washington in week six.
Through his five year career in the NFL, Moody is 64-for-82, including 23-for-37 on attempts longer than 40 yards.
He arrived with the Commanders after the team elected to release veteran Matt Gay one day after he missed a pair of attempts, including a potential game winner in overtime, against the Miami Dolphins during the week 11 loss in Madrid. Gay initially joined the organization last April on a one year deal with $4.25 million guaranteed, marking the most a kicker has received for a one year contract.
Washington will have several available free agents to turn to including former Jets kicker Nick Folks, former Bills kicker Matt Prater and former Falcons kicker Zane Gonzalez among the free agents available for Washington to turn to. Chad Ryland also enters next week as a restricted free agent after going 69-of-90 during his three year NFL career.
Washington already addressed the other specialist spot this offseason after making punter Tress Way the first player to reach a new deal, a deserving feat for the franchise's longest tenured player.
Special teams coordinator Larry Izzo, the lone coordinator to remain in place from 2025, will team up with general manager Adam Peters to address the position in short order as head coach Dan Quinn will look for more stability at the position in his third season with the organization.