The Washington Commanders are slowly getting their house in order before a critical free agency period for the franchise. General manager Adam Peters has many needs to fill, and there is cash to spend in his pursuit of a quick turnaround.
However, there is one ongoing carousel that could be spinning once again. And the sooner a long-term solution is found, the better Washington's chances will be.
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Commanders are not going to place a restricted free agent tender on kicker Jake Moody. He will now test free agency, and though there is a chance Washington comes back with an offer, it does seem unlikely.
Commanders are back to square one at the kicking position after years of searching
This means the Commanders are on the lookout for yet another kicker. Almost every offseason, it's the same story. And if Moody doesn't get re-signed, the same cycle will begin again.
Austin Seibert. Zane Gonzalez. Greg Joseph. Cade York. Brandon McManus. Matt Gay. Moody. All have been signed by the Commanders since Peters took charge. For one reason or another, all fluffed their lines.
FanSided's innovative Kick Value Added metric actually painted a pretty good picture of Moody's contribution. The Commanders thought differently, perhaps wanting a bigger leg more in keeping with modern-day NFL standards.
Either way, the next move is crucial. JP Finlay of 106.7 The Fan and NBC Sports believes a legitimate kicking competition among several candidates is needed this summer to resolve this ongoing complication.
Kicker Jake Moody's situation highlights a larger debate. Instead of just one or two, teams should bring three kickers to training camp. Young guys with big legs and fierce competition can reveal true consistency under pressure. #NFL #Kickers #Football #TrainingCamp #Competition pic.twitter.com/TAkr2kw4x4
— 106.7 The Fan (@1067theFan) March 3, 2026
It wouldn't hurt. After all, anything the Commanders have tried so far just hasn't worked.
Much like some other positions on the depth chart, it's time for an alternate approach. The time for half-measures is over in Washington. Peters could go back to Moody if an upgrade can't be found, but there are always young kickers coming through via the college ranks worthy of consideration.
It's not a route the Commanders have gone before. They would be wise to change their thought process this time around.
Having a good kicker can be the difference between success and failure in the NFL. The Commanders have been found wanting in this critical area for years. Moody is the latest in a long line who didn't inspire enough confidence, and Peters must now come up with a fix that finally rectifies this issue once and for all.
Moody made a lot of kicks in Washington, but most were well within his capabilities. The Commanders clearly want more, so Peters cannot make another error in judgment after several misses since taking control of Washington's front office.