The San Francisco 49ers' teardown of its special teams group from a year ago has been something to watch under their new coordinator, Brant Boyer.
Essentially, only one key cog Boyer left standing is kicker Jake Moody, arguably the biggest component he had to replace upon taking over duties earlier this offseason.
For some reason, though, Boyer has gotten rid of nearly everything else, highlighted by parting ways with long-snapper Taybor Pepper and punter Mitch Wishnowsky and replacing them with hand-picked successors, Jon Weeks and Thomas Morstead, respectively.
Yet Moody remains. Why?
Boyer hasn't exactly come out and said Moody is next on the chopping block. But every move to this point has suggested as much. Indeed, the embattled kicker who struggled so thoroughly late in 2024 is on the hot seat, and the Niners ensured some offseason competition for him by signing journeyman kicker Greg Joseph to at least push the 2022 third-round draftee harder toward actually earning a roster spot.
By handing other smaller-liability players like Wishnowsky and Pepper their walking papers, San Francisco has sent a clear message to Moody.
His job isn't safe. At all.
Boyer had to play a key role in this. Case in point, Morstead served under Boyer when the two were with the New York Jets the previous two seasons, which is a pure indication the coordinator wants to make a key imprint with the 49ers during his first year with the team.
Inheriting Moody is one thing. Keeping him rostered is another. And while the former Michigan Wolverine might have some saving grace by being a top-100 draft pick, Boyer's actions elsewhere essentially guarantee there won't be much room for error or continued disappointment.
If that's what it takes to salvage Moody's floundering career, it might be a brilliant ploy.