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Courtney Cronin
Landover, MD– jake moody was on Chicago Bears‘ active roster for all seven hours, until he kicked a 38-yard field goal as time expired to defeat him. Washington Commanders Monday night 25-24.
Moody was promoted from the practice squad on opening day as the Bears’ kicker. cairo santos He is struggling with an injury to his right thigh. Santos was injured during Chicago’s Week 4 win in Las Vegas and was a full participant in practice during the week.
“We did it all week and we just said, ‘Hey, [Santos] It wasn’t feeling it, and we went ahead and made a change,” Bears coach Ben Johnson said.
Moody, who has been with the Bears since September 13, became the first Bears kicker to kick a walk-off field goal as time expired in the fourth quarter in his debut with the franchise. The 25-year-old was surrounded by teammates as his game-winner went up at Northwest Stadium. After this he was taken out of the field celebrating.
“It’s a pretty good series of events,” Moody said. “A few days ago, I didn’t know I was playing and having my teammates lift me up is an amazing feeling. I’m really happy I got a chance to share that moment with them.”
Moody began the season with San Francisco, the team that drafted him in the third round in 2023. was cut Signed to the Bears practice squad after missing two field goals in the Niners’ season opener against the Seahawks and a few days before Week 2.
Given their limited time with the franchise, many Bears players were still getting to know their teammates at kickoff. running back d’andre swift Introduced himself to Moody on the sideline during Monday’s game.
“That’s the first time I’ve talked to him,” Swift said. “He did a great job. I don’t know when he realized what his role was going to be today, but coming in right now, being resilient. Just proud of him. Also happy to have him on the team.”
Moody went 4-5 against the Commanders on Monday in wet and windy conditions. He made field goals of 47, 48 and 41 yards before kicking the winner with three seconds remaining.
Moody said that Santos was an invaluable resource to him during the game.
“Very, very glad we traveled with him,” Moody said. “He performed very well here and was able to help me with the wind, the surface of the field, all these things. So I was very happy to have the extra hands.”
Early in the fourth quarter, Moody blocked a 48-yard field goal, bringing the Commanders to their own 37-yard line. Washington, which had a one-point lead at the time, found the end zone seven plays later jayden daniels is associated with zack ertz For a touchdown.
The Bears cut Washington’s lead to 24–22 on their next drive when Swift caught a short pass 55 yards for a touchdown. After the fourth consecutive quarter, Chicago found itself in position to win when Daniels botched his conversation with the rookie. Jacory Croskey-Merritt Near midfield.
The Bears had 3:07 to work with at the end of the game and relied on Swift and the ground game. After a slow start to the season, Swift eventually broke through with 175 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Near the two-minute warning, Moody was shown working out on the Jumbotron for a chance to help Chicago get its second consecutive win in walk-off fashion.
“I wasn’t surprised at all,” Johnson said. “We’ve watched him in practice for several weeks now. This is one. And then, we also knew what he’s capable of. He’s made big kicks in big games throughout his career so far. So none of it was a surprise. I think that’s who he is, and I think the change of scenery was really good for him.”
Bears say wide receiver dj moore Will remain in the DC-area for “precautionary medical evaluation” after leaving the stadium in an ambulance. Moore was on the field for all but one play (kneeling to set up Moody’s game-winning field goal) during Chicago’s final drive.
It is unclear how the receiver was injured, although broadcasts during the second quarter showed him in obvious discomfort after being hit in his midsection. Moore had three catches for 42 yards and two rushing attempts for 10 yards.
