The Commanders made a decision on one of the most closely watched training camp position battles of 2026, when kicker Jake Moody was released. Undrafted free agent and rookie Drew Stevens gets the nod instead.
Jordan Schultz reported the transaction on Monday:
Doink
Moody likely sealed his fate in the first preseason game, when he doinked a field goal from 29 yards. The kick actually made it through the uprights for the field goal, but it was hardly confidence inspiring. It appears that will be his last stroke as a Commander.
He hasn’t been great through training camp either.
Moody came to Washington last season for the final six games via Chicago’s practice squad. He converted 91% of his field-goal attempts.
Rookie Nabs Job
It appears – at least for now – that Washington will go with rookie Stevens, who was good from 41 yards in the same preseason game. And didn’t hit the uprights. He also converted a long point after attempt.
Stevens had reportedly kicked better in practice than Moody did (43-of-48 vs 36-of-47).
The UDFA had a big leg at Iowa, kicking a 58-yarder in 2025. He was 22-of-28 on the season and led the Big Ten conference. He had 12 career 50+ yard field goals for the Hawkeyes.
Set In Stone?
Moody being released would seem to indicate that the job is decided but you never know. There could still be a free agent acquisition before the season kicks off.
Former Commander Dustin Hopkins is currently unemployed. He’s mentioned only because that is the last time Washington seemed to have stability at the position.
Heck, 39-year old Graham Gano isn’t retired yet.
There are other free agent options too – Matt Prater, Brandon McManus, Daniel Carlson. Others may come free after the final cuts in a couple of weeks.
But for now, the Washington Commanders are going with Drew Stevens.