Nobody knew kicker Jake Moody when he joined the Chicago Bears. That has changed after the team’s win over the Washington Commanders. His teammates gathered around to hype him up to celebrate his game-winning field goal. He has even got the approval of the NFL legend, Aaron Donald.

In his recent conversation, Donald was asked about Moody’s role in the team. “Hell yeah,” he said. “That’s an extra boost to the piece. Like offense, defense, and now you got a special piece on, special teams that can get it done, too, man.”

“You need everybody to do their part,” he said on The Inner Circle Podcast and Aaron Donald.

“Do their job to be a successful team, to win games in this league, man. And when you got a guy that can, you know, hit them field goals when you need to and crunch time to help you win games, man. Because sometimes you got to find ways to win ugly.”

It is just as he said. After his stint with the San Francisco 49ers, he was signed to the Bears‘ practice squad on September 12, 2025. Not even quarterback Caleb Williams knew the player back then. The QB got a proper look at Moody when he hit a 65-yarder in practice.

“For what he did tonight,” Williams said, “Coming here in tough conditions and pulling through for us. I’m proud of him and happy for us as a team.”

Moody was activated from the practice squad, just before the game against the Commanders, to replace starting kicker Cairo Santos, who went down with a quadriceps injury. Running back D’Andre Swift also met Moody on the sidelines during the same night. What he didn’t know was what an incredible night it was going to be for the Bears.

Later, an astonished Swift expressed his excitement about how they ended the night, celebrating the kicker’s best performance. “Resilient, man,” Swift proudly noted. “I’m proud of him. Happy to have him on the team.”

Now, Moody had his own share of bizarre struggles before making a game-winning shot.

Jake Moody struggled with a sleepless night before the game

Moody recalled that he couldn’t sleep at all the night before the game, after learning he would be the starter. But it wasn’t nerves or expectations that kept him awake.

It was simply that the hotel wasn’t comfortable enough. “I was tossing and turning in an uncomfortable hotel bed,” he said. “I thought it was a twin, when I wasn’t getting scalded in the bathroom.” 

Ahead of the game, he also discovered a new superstition. Not a bizarre one. He has the idea that an ice-cold shower could become a nice pregame tradition that he can use. Now, whatever the ritual may be, Moody was able to step up when it mattered most. 

He went 4-for-5 against the Commanders, hitting field goals of 38, 47, 48, and 41 yards, before nailing the game-winner with just three seconds remaining.

“A couple days ago, I didn’t know I was playing,” Moody shared. “To get lifted up by my teammates after a win like that. It’s an amazing feeling.”

Head coach Ben Johnson, who had been watching him closely during the practice, wasn’t surprised by his performance. He will hope for the kicker to step up big when they meet the New Orleans Saints in Week 7