Kicker Matt Gay Cut By Colts Two Years Into Record-Breaking Four-Year Deal

Colts' Matt Gay (Image: Colts)

In March 2023, kicker Matt Gay signed a four-year, $22.5 million deal with the Indianapolis Colts. At the time, he was one year removed from a spectacular 2021 season, where he converted 32 of 34 field goal attempts and 48 of 49 points after touchdown, going on to win the Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams. Gay’s deal was the largest ever signed by a free agent kicker.

Now, just halfway through his deal, the Colts have released him.

In his two years with Indianapolis, the veteran kicker converted just 82.1% of his field goal attempts, struggling especially beyond the 50-yard range. Gay hit seven of 13 50-yarders in 2023 and three of nine in 2024, finishing his Colts tenure with a 50% conversion rate.

Gay, 31, was reportedly dealing with a groin injury, which likely factored into his lack of success.

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The release leaves Indianapolis with just one kicker on their roster – Spencer Shrader, who entered the NFL last year as an undrafted free agent. Shrader has made five of five field goal attempts in his career.

While the Colts now have a significant hole at kicker, the NFL Draft is just a couple of weeks away. Don’t be surprised if they use the Draft to secure a kicker that they believe can fill their franchise slot.