LANDOVER, MD — Jake Moody was on Chicago Bearsactive roster for the entire seven hours by the time he kicked a 38-yard field goal as time expired to win Washington commanders 25-24 on Monday evening.
Earlier in the day, Moody was waived from the practice squad when the Bears forward Cairo Santos is being treated for a right hip injury. Santos was injured during Chicago's Week 4 win in Las Vegas and was active in practice during that week.
“We got through the week and just said, 'Hey, [Santos] we weren't feeling it and we went ahead and made changes,” Bears coach Ben Johnson said.
Moody, who has been with the Bears since Sept. 13, became the first Bears offensive player to make a field goal as time expired in the fourth quarter in his franchise debut. The 25-year-old was surrounded by a crowd of teammates as his game-winner sailed through the posts at the North West Stadium. He was then carried off the field in celebration.
“It’s a pretty cool series of events,” Moody said. “A couple of days ago I didn’t even know I was playing and my teammates were cheering me on. It's an amazing feeling. I am very glad that I was able to share this moment with them.”
Moody began the season with San Francisco, the team that drafted him in the third round in 2023. was cut after the Niners' season opener against the Seahawks, missing two field goals, and signed with the Bears' practice squad days before Week 2.
Given his limited time with the club, several Bears players were still recognizing their teammate as the game began. running back D'Andre Swift introduced himself to Moody on the sideline during Monday's game.
“It was my first time talking to him,” Swift said. “He did a great job. I don't know when he found out what his role would be today, but he just showed up, resilient. I'm just proud of him. I'm glad he's on the team too.”
Moody was 4-for-5 Monday against the Commanders in wet and windy conditions. He made field goals of 47, 48 and 41 yards before kicking the game-winner with three seconds left.
Moody said Santos was an invaluable resource to him during the game.
“Very, very glad we traveled with him,” Moody said. “He ran the fair here and was able to help me with the wind and the course surface and all that stuff. So I was really glad to have an extra pair of hands on hand.”
Early in the fourth quarter, Moody blocked a 48-yard field goal, setting up the Commanders at their own 37-yard line. Washington, which had a one-point lead at the time, found the end zone seven plays later when Jayden Daniels associated with Zach Ertz for a touchdown.
On their next drive, the Bears cut Washington's lead to 24-22 when Swift completed a short 55-yard pass for a touchdown. After a shutout fourth quarter, Chicago found itself in position to win after Daniels botched a trade with the rookie running back. Jacorey Croskey-Merritt near midfield.
The Bears had 3:07 to work with late in the game and leaned on Swift and the ground game. After a slow start to the season, Swift finally broke through with 175 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown.
Just before the two-minute warning, Moody was shown on the jumbotron warming up for his chance to help Chicago earn its second straight win with ease.
“I wasn’t surprised at all,” Johnson said. “We've seen him in training for a few weeks now. This one. And then, we also knew what he was capable of. He's had great success in big games throughout his career. So none of this was surprising. I think he's who he is, and I think the change of environment has been good for him.”
Bears say wide receiver DJome Moeure is will remain in D.C. for a “precautionary medical examination” after leaving the stadium in an ambulance. Moore was on the field 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 suffered the injury, although the second-quarter broadcast showed him in visible discomfort after being hit in the abdomen. Moore finished with three catches for 42 yards and two rushing attempts for 10 yards.
