San Francisco 49ers Sign Veteran Kicker Greg Joseph To Compete With Jake Moody
The San Francisco 49ers have signed veteran Kicker Greg Joseph to a one-year deal as they look to strengthen their special teams heading into the 2025 season. The move adds experienced competition for Jake Moody, who struggled in his second year with the team. While Moody showed promise as a rookie in 2023, his accuracy dipped last season, raising questions about consistency at a position that can make or break close games. Joseph brings a veteran presence and a solid track record, giving the 49ers another option they can trust if needed.
Greg Joseph Brings Experience and Stability
Greg Joseph is no stranger to the pressures of NFL kicking. Born in South Africa and raised in Florida, Joseph entered the league in 2018 as an undrafted free agent. Since then, he has played for several teams, including the Browns, Titans, Vikings, Giants, Commanders, and Jets. Along the way, he has developed a reputation as a steady, reliable kicker who can handle big moments.
Over his career, Joseph has made 116 of 141 field goal attempts, which gives him a success rate of just over 82%. He has also been near automatic from short range, converting 72 of 73 attempts from inside 40 yards. In 2024, he went 16 for 20 on field goals across stints with three different teams. That kind of consistency, especially on the move, is not easy to find in this league.
The 49ers are not just bringing in a name. They are bringing in someone who has handled the job under pressure, in different stadiums, with different holders and snapper units. That matters. The team wants reliability, and Joseph has shown he can offer that.
Jake Moody Faces Pressure After Down Year
Jake Moody was drafted in the third round in 2023 with high hopes, and early on, he delivered. His rookie season ended with him hitting 21 of 25 field goal attempts and contributing in the playoffs. But the following year was rough. He missed time with an ankle injury early in the season and never seemed to fully recover his rhythm. He finished the year making just over 70% of his kicks, which ranked last in the league among qualified kickers.
There is still a belief in Moody’s talent. He has a strong leg and has shown he can be clutch. But this is the NFL, and every position has to be earned. The team has said they want competition at every spot, and bringing in Joseph sends that message. This is not about replacing Moody immediately. It is about making sure the team has options if the struggles continue.
The hope is that competition will sharpen both players. Maybe Moody bounces back. Maybe Joseph proves he still has plenty left. Either way, the 49ers do not want to leave anything to chance when it comes to something as important as field goals and extra points.
A Smart Move With Little Risk
Adding Greg Joseph is a low-risk, high-upside move for a team with championship goals. The 49ers are not waiting to see if Moody figures things out. They are being proactive. They want every part of the roster to be strong, including special teams.
Joseph brings experience, a track record of solid production, and a calm presence that can help in high-stress moments. If Moody rebounds and holds the job, great. If not, the team now has a proven backup plan. Either way, the 49ers just got better where it counts, even if it is not the flashiest position on the field.
