Two missed field goals in Seattle could have turned a comfortable opener into a collapse. Instead, the 49ers escaped with a 17–13 win over the Seahawks in Week 1. The defense was suffocating, Brock Purdy was steady enough, Christian McCaffrey churned out tough yards, but Jake Moody ’s right leg became the headline. Three attempts, one makes. The rookie-year nerves that San Francisco hoped were behind him suddenly resurfaced in front of a hostile crowd at Lumen Field. And yet, Kyle Shanahan didn’t blink.

When asked about his kicker’s future, Shanahan didn’t hedge, didn’t soften, just dropped a flat response. “ No question, ” Moody is the guy going into Week 2. His follow-up almost underscored how little he wanted to entertain the debate. “ It’s just the way you guys ask

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