Commanders release Jake Moody, keep kicker Drew Stevens

The Washington Commanders are set to release placekicker Jake Moody on Tuesday, ending his brief stint with the team after officials described an uneven training camp. The club plans to proceed with undrafted rookie free agent Drew Stevens as its primary kicker as roster decisions continue ahead of the regular season.

Officials tied the move to Moody’s recent practice performance, particularly from long range. During training camp work, Moody missed four of six field-tries from 44 to 55 yards, a band that often shapes late-game strategy and coaching decisions on fourth down.

Moody’s camp results and the Miami preseason comparison Moody’s camp results and the Miami preseason comparison In Friday’s 20-7 preseason win over the Miami Moody entered the league as a 2023 third-round draft pick, but the Commanders’ camp evaluation appears to have pushed the team toward an early decision before final roster deadlines. In Friday’s 20-7 preseason win over the Miami Dolphins, Moody made a 29-yard field that was described as narrowly successful. Teams commonly use daily practices alongside preseason snaps to measure specialists in comparable conditions, focusing on conversion rates and the quality of the kick, including trajectory and consistency. In this case, the Commanders’ assessment across camp and the Miami game pointed toward accuracy and distance dependability as the key separating factors. Stevens’ steadier profile wins out Stevens, an undrafted rookie free agent, delivered steadier results in the competition and, in the team’s view, showed stronger leg performance during the preseason. Against Miami, he converted a 41-yard field, giving the staff a direct, same-game reference alongside Moody’s shorter make. Washington’s decision also reflects Stevens’ college track record for range. In his final two seasons at Iowa, Stevens made eight of 13 field-attempts from beyond 50 yards, a data point that can influence play-calling near the edge of field-territory and end-of-half decision-making. Officials cautioned implicitly through the framing that practice and preseason outcomes do not guarantee regular-season production. Still, the planned move signals that the organization believes Stevens’ recent accuracy and distance profile better matches its immediate needs at the position.

Backfield depth also prompts a separate roster move

The Washington Commanders The kicker change is arriving alongside additional personnel adjustments as Washington prepares to sign running back Craig Reynolds. Officials described that move as a response to short-term depth needs in the backfield.

Running back Jeremy McNichols is expected to miss at least two weeks with a quad injury, and the team is seeking added options while he is sidelined. The planned Reynolds signing is intended to help cover snaps and practice reps during that window.

With both a specialist decision and a running back depth move unfolding in the same stretch of preparations, Washington is acting to settle roles quickly. At the same time, availability timelines and week-to-week performance remain key unknowns as the team continues through the next phase of its preseason schedule.