The Las Vegas Raiders made a notable change at kicker late Monday night by signing veteran Matt Gay, signaling the end of Daniel Carlson’s time with the team. This decision came during the legal tampering period as the Raiders quickly negotiated deals with several key free agents to reshape their roster. The acquisition of Gay was first reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and later confirmed by ESPN’s Ryan McFadden.
Source said Spytek and the new regime decided to move on from Daniel Carlson, hence the signing of Matt Gay,
McFadden wrote.
Evaluating Carlson’s Departure and Gay’s Arrival
Daniel Carlson, nicknamed “Cash Money Carlson,” has had a mixed performance over recent seasons, prompting the Raiders to seek alternatives. Though Carlson’s kicking accuracy declined somewhat, he remained a consistent contributor for Las Vegas since their relocation, and his departure marks a significant roster shift. With the exit of Maxx Crosby and Carlson, only Kolton Miller and A.J. Cole remain from the Raiders’ Oakland era, with Cole as the sole player originally drafted by the franchise. This turnover highlights a new chapter for the team.
Statistically, Carlson appears to hold a slight edge over Matt Gay in field goal success over the past three seasons. Carlson has converted 84.5% of his field goal attempts with the Raiders, while Gay has an 80.2% success rate across three different teams. Their extra-point accuracy tells a different story, however, with Gay making 98.9% and Carlson 96.2%.
Important to consider is their performance from various distances. Carlson has maintained an equal or superior field goal percentage from 20 to 29 yards, 30 to 39 yards, and in long-range kicks of 50+ yards. In fact, Carlson made 59% of his 50-plus yard attempts, compared to Gay’s 48%. Last season, Gay was nearly perfect inside 50 yards, missing only once, while Carlson missed twice; yet Carlson’s struggles beyond 50 yards were more pronounced, having made less than half of his attempts in two consecutive years. Although Carlson’s effectiveness was on the decline, Gay’s recent performance also suggests some inconsistency.
Strategic Context Behind Signing Matt Gay
The decision to bring in Gay gains context when considering his prior rapport with Raiders’ special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis. Gay’s best seasons in 2021 and 2022 coincided with DeCamillis serving in that role, and their reunion in Las Vegas could rekindle some of that previous success. Veteran kickers can often regain form, but the Raiders may look to add competition at the position through additional signings or rookies to test Gay in training camp and the preseason.
While the numbers on paper suggest Gay may be a step down from Carlson, the Raiders’ management clearly sees potential benefits in this transition, possibly banking on their coaching staff’s ability to maximize Gay’s skills. Carlson’s final contribution to the team was a memorable 60-yard game-winning field goal, underscoring what the Raiders are losing in terms of leg strength and clutch kicking.
Implications for Raiders’ Special Teams Moving Forward
This kicking change underscores the Raiders’ ongoing efforts to reshape their roster with a fresh approach significant for their special teams unit. The move may affect the team’s scoring reliability, especially from long range, and will be closely watched during the upcoming season. With only a handful of players remaining from the Raiders’ Oakland tenure, the organization is clearly embracing a new era.
Whether Matt Gay can replicate or exceed Daniel Carlson’s contributions remains to be seen, as does the Raiders’ overall success in managing this transition. Their special teams coach Joe DeCamillis will play a pivotal role in determining Gay’s impact, and the team’s approach to competition at the kicker position will be critical during training camp and preseason play.
The Raiders are signing veteran kicker Matt Gay, his agents @davidcanter and @NessMugrabi of @aurasportsgroup tell The Insiders. pic.twitter.com/jwr3QvveX1
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 10, 2026
Source said Spytek and the new regime decided to move on from Daniel Carlson, hence the signing of Matt Gay.
Kolton Miller and AJ Cole are the only ones that remain from the Oakland days.
— Ryan McFadden (@ryanmcfadden_) March 10, 2026
