Bears’ Jake Moody Seals Victory with Game-Winning Field Goal After Daniels turnover

Credit: AP/Nick Wass

LANDOVER, Md. — Jake Moody’s whirlwind Monday ended in storybook fashion. Just hours after being promoted from the practice squad, the 25-year-old kicker drilled a 38-yard field goal as time expired, lifting the Chicago Bears to a thrilling 25–24 victory over the Washington Commanders.

Moody’s elevation to the active roster came earlier in the day after starting kicker Cairo Santos was ruled out with a right thigh injury sustained in last week’s win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Though Santos practiced throughout the week, head coach Ben Johnson said the team made a late decision to rest him.

“We made it through the week, but [Santos] just wasn’t feeling right,” Johnson explained. “So we went ahead and made the change.”

The decision paid off. In his Bears debut, Moody became the first kicker in franchise history to win a game with a walk-off field goal in regulation during his first outing. As the ball sailed through the uprights at Northwest Stadium, Moody was mobbed by his teammates, who then lifted him off the field in celebration.

“It’s a crazy feeling,” Moody said afterward. “A couple of days ago, I didn’t even know I’d be playing. To come out here and have that moment with my teammates—it’s unbelievable.”

A Sudden Opportunity

Moody, a third-round pick by the San Francisco 49ers in 2023, began this season with his former team but was released after missing two field goals in the season opener. Chicago signed him to its practice squad before Week 2, and he has quietly been preparing for another shot ever since.

His quick rise meant that some Bears players were still meeting him for the first time on Monday night. Running back D’Andre Swift, who introduced himself to Moody on the sideline, was impressed.

“First time I talked to him,” Swift said. “He did an awesome job. Didn’t know when he found out he’d be playing, but he came in ready and handled it like a pro.”

Despite wet and windy conditions, Moody went 4-for-5 on field goals, connecting from 47, 48, and 41 yards before sealing the win with his 38-yarder. His lone miss came on a blocked 48-yard attempt early in the fourth quarter that set up a Washington touchdown drive.

A Late-Game Battle

Washington took a 24–22 lead midway through the fourth when quarterback Jayden Daniels found tight end Zach Ertz for a touchdown. But the Bears responded quickly. Swift turned a short pass into a 55-yard touchdown to bring Chicago back within striking distance.

With just over three minutes left, the Bears got another chance after Daniels fumbled an exchange with rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt. Chicago methodically moved down the field behind Swift, who finished the night with 175 total yards and a touchdown, setting the stage for Moody’s heroics.

Head coach Ben Johnson said he had full faith in the young kicker.

“I wasn’t surprised,” Johnson said. “We’ve seen him in practice. He’s calm, confident, and has made big kicks before. The change of scenery seems to have done him a lot of good.”

Support and Setbacks

Even though he didn’t play, Santos remained on the sideline to help Moody with field conditions and wind direction. “I was really glad he came,” Moody said. “He’s kicked here a bunch and gave me tips throughout the game. Having that support meant a lot.”

However, the victory was overshadowed by a concerning moment late in the game when wide receiver DJ Moore left the stadium in an ambulance. The team said Moore will remain in the D.C. area for precautionary medical evaluation. He had three catches for 42 yards and two rushes for 10 before leaving the field.

With the dramatic win, the Bears improved to 3–2 and notched their second consecutive one-point victory—both coming on last-second field goals. As Chicago looks to build momentum, Moody’s unexpected Monday night performance might just be the spark they needed.