Colts cut kicker Matt Gay two years after signing record $22.5 million contract

Colts cut kicker Matt Gay two years after signing record $22.5 million contract

Matt Gay is out of a job. 

The veteran kicker was released by the Colts just two years into a four-year deal after a shaky stretch in Indianapolis. 

The Colts signed Gay to a $22.5 million contract that would have kept him with the franchise through 2026 after he made the Pro Bowl for the Rams during their Super Bowl-winning 2023 season. 

The contract, at the time, was the largest free agency deal handed out to a kicker in NFL history. 

Indianapolis Colts kicker Matt Gay watches his 45-yard field goal during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Jan. 5, 2025, in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Colts kicker Matt Gay watches his 45-yard field goal during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Jan. 5, 2025, in Indianapolis. AP

Gay converted 64 of 78 field goal attempts (82.1 percent) during his time with the Colts.

From 50 yards or long, Gay struggled even just further, hitting just half (11 of 22) of his attempts from that distance. 

Before coming to Indianapolis, Gay had hit 17 of 23 attempts from 50 yards or longer. 

In three years with the Rams, he had made 92.5 percent of his attempts. 

It’s not clear who will take Gay’s job, but the team signed Spencer Schrader, who spent time with the Colts, Jets and Chiefs last season and hit all five of his field goal attempts, to a deal last month. 

Gay had hernia surgery during the preseason, causing him to miss Week 1, although he wrote off any notion that injuries had to do with his struggles kicking. 

Indianapolis Colts place kicker Matt Gay (7) kicks a field goal during the first quarter of the Giants and Indianapolis Colts game in East Rutherford, N.J.
Indianapolis Colts place kicker Matt Gay (7) kicks a field goal during the first quarter of the Giants and Indianapolis Colts game in East Rutherford, N.J. Bill Kostroun/New York Post

“Kicking is very, very mental,” Gay said told reporters in the fall. “I’ve been very good from 50-plus in my career, and I have full confidence going forward that I can make these kicks. I’ve shown that I can do that.”

The Colts are also facing questions at the quarterback position this offseason.

In February, Indianapolis general manager Chris Ballard said he wanted “real compeтιтion” for Anthony Richardson, who has been underwhelming through two seasons after being drafted No. 4 overall in 2023. 

The Colts signed former Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, who will presumably compete for the starting job, in March.

Related Posts

BREAKING NEWSNFL star wide receiver KaVontae Turpin arrested in Texas

BREAKING NEWSNFL star wide receiver KaVontae Turpin arrested in Texas

Dallas Cowboys star KaVontae Turpin was arrested in Texas on Sunday morning.  The wide receiver, 28, was booked into Collin County jail on charges of possession of marijuana…

Dallas Cowboys make emotional gesture after devastating Texas floods… but NFL fans slam owner Jerry Jones over move

Dallas Cowboys make emotional gesture after devastating Texas floods… but NFL fans slam owner Jerry Jones over move

The Dallas Cowboys have pledged $500,000 to the relief efforts of the devastating Texas floods. However, some of the team’s fans have slammed owner Jerry Jones for…

Patrick Mahomes turns heads with Fourth of July party celebrations as Chiefs star shows off ‘dad bod’ again

Patrick Mahomes turns heads with Fourth of July party celebrations as Chiefs star shows off ‘dad bod’ again

Patrick Mahomes and wife Brittany toasted the Fourth of July in style over the weekend as they partied with their close friends.  The NFL power couple embraced…

Robert Kraft celebrates Fourth of July with star-studded party featuring shock performance by Elton John

Robert Kraft celebrates Fourth of July with star-studded party featuring shock performance by Elton John

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft celebrated the Fourth of July with a glitzy, star-studded party in The Hamptons featuring a surprise performance from the legendary Elton…

Revealed: Who Cleveland Browns players want as their starting quarterback with Shedeur Sanders in four-way race

Revealed: Who Cleveland Browns players want as their starting quarterback with Shedeur Sanders in four-way race

It has been revealed who Cleveland Browns players want as their starting quarterback entering next season. It is a four-man race to become the team’s starting quarterback…

Travis Kelce reveals how Travis Hunter could get exposed in the NFL amid Jaguar rookie’s two-way plans

Travis Kelce reveals how Travis Hunter could get exposed in the NFL amid Jaguar rookie’s two-way plans

Travis Kelce believes NFL teams will ruthlessly target Travis Hunter in a bid to ‘get him tired’ if he plays both offense and defense for the Jacksonville Jaguars….