Colts Release Kicker Matt Gay Ahead of NFL Draft

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana — The Indianapolis Colts released kicker Matt Gay on Thursday, officially parting ways with the once-highly regarded player two years after signing him to a four-year, $22.5 million contract.

The move comes just weeks before the 2025 NFL Draft, providing the Colts with $2.75 million in salary cap relief, albeit with a $4 million dead money charge. Gay was expected to carry a cap hit of $6.75 million in 2024, positioning him among the highest-paid kickers in the league.

Gay, 31, had a solid tenure with the Colts, converting 82.1% of his field goal attempts (64 of 78) and maintaining a perfect extra point record (68 of 69) over the past two seasons. Last season, he finished 31 of 37 in field goal attempts, achieving a notable 83.8% success rate.

A former fifth-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019, Gay also had a successful stint with the Los Angeles Rams, earning a trip to the Pro Bowl in 2021 and playing a significant role in their Super Bowl victory.

His initial contract with the Colts was a benchmark in the NFL, as it represented the largest deal ever signed by a kicker at the time. However, Gay faced challenges including injuries and performance inconsistencies throughout his time in Indianapolis.

Spencer Shrader remains the only kicker on the Colts’ roster following Gay’s release. Shrader played in three games last season for the Colts as well as time with the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs. His past season included a memorable game-winning field goal against the Miami Dolphins, which solidified his value to the team.

With Gay now a free agent, the Colts seem poised to give Shrader the opportunity to take over as the starting kicker, although the team may still consider adding competition to the position as they look for stability.

Since the retirement of legendary kicker Adam Vinatieri in 2019, the Colts have struggled to find a reliable solution at the kicker position, cycling through several players including Chase McLaughlin and Rodrigo Blankenship. The franchise is now at a pivotal moment in its efforts to solidify its kicking game, a mission that seems to have taken on a life of its own.