The Washington Commanders have placed the franchise’s kicking job back into open competition after re-signing Jake Moody and bringing in undrafted free agent Drew Stevens from Iowa. The moves, announced this week, follow a prolonged stretch of instability at the position dating to 2024.
Recent turnover and the roster context
Since the arrival of general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn in 2024, the Commanders have rotated through a string of specialists. The team released veteran Brandon McManus last year after off-field legal issues surfaced, and six different kickers have handled game duties since: Cade York, Austin Seibert, Greg Joseph, Zane Gonzalez, Matt Gay and Moody.
Moody returns on a one-year contract worth $1.7 million. The club structured the deal to keep flexibility — Washington would absorb only about $125,000 in dead money should it cut ties before the end of the deal.
How each contender profiles
Moody, a third-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers in the 2023 draft, showed promising moments and alarming variance during his first two NFL seasons. As a rookie he connected on 21 of 25 attempts, but his second year fell to 24-for-34 overall, with the largest struggles coming from 40 yards and beyond. After short stints on other rosters, Moody finished last season making 10 of 11 kicks for the Commanders and converting both attempts from 50+ yards, though he also missed a short field goal and an extra point.
Stevens arrives from the University of Iowa after an accomplished college career. Over four seasons he converted 76 of 95 field-goal tries (80%) and 124 of 126 PATs (98.4%), earning the club’s interest as an undrafted free agent and a potential competition piece in training camp.
| Player | Notable pro/college stats |
|---|---|
| Jake Moody | NFL: 21-for-25 (rookie); 24-for-34 (year two); late-season 10-for-11 with 2-for-2 from 50+ |
| Drew Stevens | College (Iowa): 76-for-95 FG (80%); 124-for-126 PAT (98.4%) |
What this means for the team and fans
The Commanders’ approach reflects a cautionary blend of continuity and competition: re-sign a familiar leg while adding another candidate who excelled in college. Peters can preserve roster flexibility with the modest dead-money exposure while evaluating both kickers in training camp and preseason games. For fans, the change signals that the club is prioritizing reliability from close range and stronger range on long attempts, areas that have affected late-game outcomes in recent seasons.
- Contract flexibility: Moody’s deal limits long-term financial commitment.
- Competition: Stevens gives Washington a college-proven alternative entering camp.
- Performance stakes: Make-or-break decisions likely will hinge on long-range accuracy and consistency on short kicks.
Training camp and the preseason slate will be the decisive forum for the battle. The Commanders have repeatedly shown a willingness to change course quickly at the position, and the next few weeks figure to determine which kicker — if either — will handle game duties when the regular season begins.
