On Monday, the first day of the Commanders’ bye week, Washington officially made a change at the kicker position.
After a struggling performance in Sunday’s 16-13 overtime loss to the Miami Dolphins, the Commanders have released Matt Gay.
“[General Manager] Adam [Peters] and I visited with Matt today,” said head coach Dan Quinn. “Matt has been a fantastic teammate here and an all-time good dude. So, we’re really bummed that it didn’t work out and we felt like this was the change that we needed.”
Gay missed field goal attempts at 51 and 56 yards against the Dolphins, pushing both kicks wide right, an issue that he has struggled throughout the season. The 56-yard field goal attempt would have secured a win for Washington in regulation.
“I missed that kick to win the game so it sucks, it’s tough. That’s on me,” Gay said. “We would have won that game if that kick was in. So good snap, good operation from the guys, good protection. I just missed, so that’s on me.”
The 31-year-old kicker has converted 13-of-19 field goal attempts this season and has remained perfect on extra points, recording 22-of-22. But he connected on only 68% of his field goals in Washington.
The Commanders signed Gay in early March to a one-year, fully guaranteed $4.25 million contract after being released from the Indianapolis Colts, which is the richest guarantee given to a kicker on a single-season contract. However, Washington cycled through various kickers in 2024.
The team had hoped that Gay would have brought stability at the kicker position, but instead they will once again have to find another leg. At least this time, Washington can use the bye week to evaluate their options.
“When they’re hard like this one because of who the person is, it makes it especially difficult,” said Quinn, “but you still got to make the decisions that you think are best for the team.”