It didn’t take long for former Washington Commanders kicker Matt Gay to find a new job. Two days after the Commanders released Gay, the former Pro Bowl kicker signed with the San Francisco 49ers on Wednesday.
Washington released the 31-year-old Gay after he missed two kicks in Sunday’s 16-13 overtime loss to the Miami Dolphins, including the potential game-winner. The Commanders didn’t move on from Gay only because he missed two kicks in Week 11. After signing him to a record one-year deal for a kicker, Gay made only 13 of his 19 attempts as a Commanders. His 68% average was well below his career average of 84%.
After releasing Gay on Monday, the Commanders signed former San Francisco third-round pick Jake Moody. Moody was San Francisco’s kicker for two seasons, but was cut after Week 1 this season. He missed a short field goal and had another block, and the 49ers cut him. After an outstanding rookie season in 2023, Moody struggled in 2024.
Moody was on the Chicago Bears‘ practice squad when Washington signed him. Ironically, it was Moody who kicked the game-winner for Chicago as time expired in the Bears’ Week 6 win over the Commanders.
Don’t be surprised if/when Gay has success with the 49ers, that Washington fans will somehow blame GM Adam Peters for releasing him. Remember, Commanders’ fans wanted to cut Gay after Week 2 when he missed two field goals against the Packers.