The Washington Commanders’ special teams unit hopes for a better outcome in 2025 after a rough year kicking the football in 2024, relying on four different kickers. The Commanders combined to make 34 out of 42 field goal attempts with an 81.0% field goal percentage. They tied for 7th in field goals made and finished 7th in attempts and 24th in field goal percentage.
The Washington Commanders cut their kicker
The Commanders cut Zane Gonzalez earlier on Tuesday. Gonzalez finished the year as their starting kicker and played in six of their final eight regular-season games, as well as their three playoff games. He made five out of seven field goal attempts and 19 out of 19 extra point attempts during the regular season. Finally, he went seven for eight on field goals and eight for eight on extra points during the postseason.
The Washington Commanders add Pro Bowler amid kicking woes
According to Tom Pelissero, the Commanders signed former Pro Bowl kicker Matt Gay. As Pelissero points out, the deal is for one year and is worth $4.25 million, with $4.25 million guaranteed. The former fifth-round pick is on his fourth team and enters his seventh year in the NFL.
Veteran kicker Matt Gay is signing with the #Commanders on a one-year deal worth over $4.25 million fully guaranteed, per agents @davidcanter and @NessMugrabi of @aurasportsgroup.
It’s the most fully guaranteed money for a kicker on a one-year deal in NFL history. Gay can earn… pic.twitter.com/QY6KnF51TH
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 29, 2025
He spent the last two seasons with Indianapolis
The Indianapolis Colts signed Matt Gay to a four-year, $22.5 million contract during the 2023 offseason. Gay had a solid tenure with Indianapolis, making 64 out of 78 field goal attempts and 68 out of 69 extra point attempts in 33 games. He had a solid 2024 campaign, but struggled with field goals over 50 yards, as he missed six out of his nine attempts. Other than that, he was perfect and finished making 31 out of 37 field goal attempts and made all of his 33 extra point attempts.
Unfortunately, the Colts released him in early April.
