The Washington Commanders are setting the stage for a high-stakes battle this season—not between quarterbacks or wide receivers, but between two kickers fighting for the starting job in 2026.

Head coach Dan Quinn confirmed Friday that the team plans to hold a kicking competition between Jake Moody and rookie standout Drew Stevens. It's a move that signals just how seriously Washington is taking its special teams after a season of inconsistency.

Moody, once viewed as one of the NFL's most promising young kickers after a stellar 2023 campaign with the San Francisco 49ers, saw his stock dip in 2024. That regression led to a journeyman-like 2025 season, where he appeared in just one game for the 49ers before being released. He later filled in briefly for the Chicago Bears and finished the year with six games in Washington. Despite the turbulence, Moody posted solid numbers: 19-for-23 on field goals, including a perfect 2-for-2 from beyond 50 yards, with a long of 56 yards.

Stevens, meanwhile, enters the competition fresh off a decorated college career at Iowa. Over four seasons with the Hawkeyes, he connected on 76 of 95 field goals (80%)—an impressive figure given the wider college hashmarks. He also showed off his range, going 12-for-19 from 50 yards or more, including a 58-yard bomb in 2025. His consistency on extra points was nearly flawless, hitting 124 of 126 attempts (98.4%).

On paper, Moody's NFL experience gives him an edge. But the Commanders are leaving the door wide open for Stevens to prove he belongs. For a team looking to build stability in every phase of the game, getting this kicking battle right could make all the difference in tight matchups come fall.