Gould predicts 49ers kicker Moody will be ‘even better’ in 2024

If Robbie Gould is accurate once again, the 49ers will not have to worry about their kicking situation for the foreseeable future. Gould spent six seasons with the 49ers and set the franchise record with an 87.5-percent success rate on field-goal attempts. The 49ers replaced Gould with Jake Moody, whom they selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Moody had his ups and downs as a rookie. He missed a 41-yard kick wide right on the final play of a 19-17 loss to the Cleveland Browns for the 49ers' first loss of the season. Then, he made 11 consecutive field goals over 10 games. "He missed the kick in Cleveland. It happens," Gould told NBC Sports Bay Area at the American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course. "But then he went on a really nice streak for about seven, eight, nine weeks, where he didn't miss. Then, the rookie wall hit because the college season ends about five weeks before an NFL season. I think he'll grow from that and mature from that." Gould credited 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan for helping Moody regain his confidence with putting him in positions to succeed and avoiding sending him out for low-percentage kicks. Moody struggled in the...