Commanders move on from kicker Jake Moody, turning to undrafted rookie Drew Stevens for training camp

The Washington Commanders reportedly resolved their kicker competition on Monday by releasing Jake Moody, a move that shifts the team’s options at one of the most scrutinized roles in training camp. Instead of continuing to evaluate Moody alongside other candidates, Washington will now roll with undrafted rookie Drew Stevens, according to the report.

Kicker is often treated differently than other positions because the margin for error is narrow, and teams tend to use training camp to find a long-term fit for accuracy and consistency under pressure. Releasing a player during camp can also reflect how the coaching staff’s evaluation of leg strength, timing, and reliability has played out against the rest of the field.

Moody’s release leaves Washington needing a clear answer at the position as camp progresses, especially with roster spots typically tightening as preseason preparation moves forward. Stevens, described as an undrafted rookie, becomes the centerpiece of that picture because he is the name now tied to the team’s immediate plan for the position.

The reported decision also underscores the speed with which teams can adjust when they believe a position battle has effectively been decided. In this case, the Commanders did not wait for a later phase of camp to make a final call, suggesting they viewed the gap between their remaining options as meaningful enough to act now.

It is not uncommon for teams to cycle through kicking competitions as they test candidates in practice, but a release during training camp is still significant. Moody, as the focal point of the original battle, would have represented one of the more established options, making the pivot to Stevens notable for how quickly Washington is willing to move.

For Stevens, the immediate opportunity becomes the practical storyline to watch. With the team indicating its preference for him following Moody’s reported release, his next steps in camp, including how he handles routine kickoffs of different distances and how he performs in pressure-style looks, will likely determine how long he holds the top spot.

For Commanders fans, the key takeaway is roster clarity starting now rather than later. The team’s reported decision reduces uncertainty at kicker and sets the stage for how special teams will be staffed through the end of training camp and beyond, as Washington continues to build toward the regular season.