ASHBURN, Va. – The Washington Commanders released kicker Matt Gay on Monday, less than 24 hours after he missed two critical field goals — including a potential 56-yard game-winner with 15 seconds left in regulation — in a 16-13 overtime defeat to the Miami Dolphins in Madrid.
“It wasn’t one game,” head coach Dan Quinn said. “We wanted it to work long-term.”
Gay, who signed a one-year, $4.25 million fully guaranteed deal in April (the richest one-year contract ever for a kicker), finished the season 13-of-19 on field goals with Washington, going just 4-of-9 from 50+ yards.
To replace him, the Commanders are signing kicker Jake Moody off the Chicago Bears’ practice squad, a source told ESPN. Ironically, Moody booted a game-winning field goal for the Bears against Washington earlier this season in Week 6.
Moody, released by the 49ers earlier this year, is 8-of-9 on field goals and perfect on extra points (3-of-3) during his brief stint in Chicago.
Gay becomes the eighth kicker signed by general manager Adam Peters since taking over in January 2024. Moody will be the ninth.
After Sunday’s loss, Gay took full responsibility, saying “100 percent of the blame” belonged to him. Over his seven-year career, Gay has converted 84% of his career field-goal attempts.
