Kyle Shanahan didn't say much when asked about Jake Moody following the San Francisco 49ers kicker's latest miss in their defeat to the Miami Dolphins.

But in essentially dodging the question, Shanahan said all he needed to about the 2023 third-round pick's status with the team.

Moody hooked a 41-yard attempt wide left in the third quarter after an illegal formation penalty against Ricky Pearsall, the second of the drive against the rookie wide receiver, robbed the 49ers wiped away a completion to Deebo Samuel that would have put the ball at the Miami two-yard line.

If successful, Moody's kick would have trimmed the Dolphins' lead to 16-13. Instead, Miami took a 19-10 lead and went on to prevail 29-17.

It has been a trying year for Moody, who missed three games earlier in the season with a high ankle sprain and, on his return to the team, missed three field goals in a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, his third failed attempt leading to a confrontation with Samuel.

Moody has made 23 of 30 kicks this season, his 76.7 field goal percentage well down from his rookie mark of 84 percent last year. Moody was outstanding with field goals in the 49ers' Super Bowl 58 loss, but had an extra point blocked that allowed the Kansas City Chiefs to tie the game at 19-19 and force overtime.

And, after his errant effort on a kick on which there was no pressure with the 49ers eliminated from the playoffs, it's clear Shanahan is losing patience with Moody.

Asked about his confidence level in Moody, Shanahan took a long pause before saying: "I mean, it wasn't good out there missing that kick. 

"I don't know exactly what happened on the snap and the hold, but that's one he's got to make."

Moody has missed too many kicks well within his very long range, with his leg the primary reason the 49ers took him with a top-100 pick.

It was Shanahan's long pause that spoke volumes, that hesitation reflective of a coach who is beginning to doubt a player in whom the team had such confidence two years ago when they took him with the second-highest pick in the 2023 draft.

The 49ers could save over $1 million by moving on from Moody in 2025. San Francisco might not be compelled to do that just yet, but his struggles this season may well lead them to bring in competition in the offseason. Moody has not been the weapon the Niners envisioned, and his place on the team for next season can be considered in jeopardy after a tough sophomore year.

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