Matt Gay Bio
Matt Gay (born March 15, 1994) is an American professional football placekicker for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Utah Utes and was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL draft. Over the course of his career, Gay has also played for the Los Angeles Rams, Indianapolis Colts, Washington Commanders, and San Francisco 49ers.
Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighing 232 pounds, Gay has built a reputation as one of the most accurate kickers of his era. His career field goal percentage of 84.3 reflects a consistent performer trusted by multiple organizations. He is also a Super Bowl champion and a former Pro Bowl selection.
Early Life and Background
Matt Gay was born on March 15, 1994, in Orem, Utah. He grew up in the same community where he would later attend high school and begin his athletic journey. Orem, a city in Utah County, provided a strong sporting culture that helped shape his early development as a multi-sport athlete.
At Orem High School, Gay played both soccer and football, earning first-team honors in each sport. He was also the first player from Utah to attend the U-17 USA Men’s National Team residency program, a distinction that highlighted his national-level talent in soccer. After graduating in 2012, Gay continued with soccer, playing two seasons for the Utah Valley Wolverines before pivoting toward football.
Gay is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served a mission in Houston, although his missionary service was cut short due to depression. These formative experiences shaped his character and work ethic before he committed fully to a football career.
Path to American Football
Although Gay began his college career as a soccer player at Utah Valley, his strong right leg soon attracted attention from football programs. In 2017, he transferred to the Utah Utes football team as a walk-on, a rare path for a future award-winning kicker.
In his first season with the Utes, Gay became a star. He led the nation in field goals made and set a new Pac-12 Conference record with 30 field goals. He won the 2017 Lou Groza Award, becoming the first Ute to claim the honor, and also received the Vlade Award that same year. Gay was named a consensus All-American in 2017, becoming the seventh player in school history to earn that distinction.
In 2018, Gay continued his excellence, setting school records for consecutive field goals made and field goals in a single game. He received first-team All-Pac-12 honors for the second consecutive season, cementing his status as one of the top kickers in college football and setting the stage for his entry into the NFL.
Matt Gay Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
Gay was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fifth round, 145th overall, of the 2019 NFL draft. He made his professional debut in the Buccaneers’ regular season opener against the San Francisco 49ers, converting two extra points and one field goal. However, inconsistency followed, and on September 5, 2020, he was waived by Tampa Bay.
Shortly after his release, Gay signed with the Indianapolis Colts practice squad in September 2020. He was released and re-signed within days as the team navigated its roster. His time in Indianapolis was brief, as the Los Angeles Rams signed him off the practice squad on November 17, 2020, to replace injured kicker Kai Forbath.
Los Angeles Rams Breakthrough (2020–2022)
Gay made an immediate impact with the Rams. During Week 11 against his former team, the Buccaneers, on Monday Night Football, Gay went perfect on three extra point attempts and made two of three field goals, including the game-winning kick late in the fourth quarter of a 27–24 victory. The performance announced his arrival as a clutch NFL kicker.
In 2021, Gay converted 32 of 34 field goal attempts and 48 of 49 points after touchdown, earning his first Pro Bowl selection. In an NFC divisional playoff game against the Buccaneers, he went 3 for 3 on extra points and converted three of four field goals, including a 30-yard game winner as time expired to send the Rams to the NFC Championship Game. He then won Super Bowl LVI with the Rams, who defeated the Cincinnati Bengals, converting a 41-yard field goal in the third quarter along with two extra points.
Gay remained with the Rams through the 2022 season, highlighted by a 57-yard field goal against the Buffalo Bills and a game-winning extra point that sealed a comeback win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
Indianapolis Colts Era (2023–2024)
On March 17, 2023, Gay signed a four-year, $22.5 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts, which at the time was the largest free-agent contract for a kicker in NFL history. He quickly justified the investment with a historic performance.
During Week 3 of the 2023 season, Gay became the first kicker in NFL history to hit four field goals of 50 or more yards in a single game. He converted from 54, 53, 53, and 53 yards, with the final kick serving as the overtime game winner in a 22–19 upset victory. His time with the Colts ended on April 10, 2025, when he was released.
Washington Commanders Era (2025)
On April 29, 2025, Gay signed a one-year contract with the Washington Commanders worth $5 million, with $4.25 million guaranteed. The guaranteed amount was the highest on a one-year contract for a kicker in NFL history at that time.
Gay’s tenure with Washington proved short and uneven. In Week 2 against the Green Bay Packers, he missed attempts from 58 and 52 yards before making a 51-yarder. In a narrow Week 6 loss to the Chicago Bears, he went one for two on field goals. In the first NFL International game in Madrid against the Miami Dolphins, Gay went two for four on field goals, with a late fourth-quarter miss that would have given Washington the lead. He was released by the Commanders on November 17, 2025.
Las Vegas Raiders Era (2026–Present)
On March 11, 2026, Gay signed a one-year, $1.6 million contract with the Las Vegas Raiders, where he currently serves as the team’s placekicker wearing jersey number 14. He joined a Raiders organization looking to stabilize its kicking game with a proven veteran.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although Gay is a kicker rather than a driver in the motorsport sense, his professional strengths lie in accuracy from long range and composure under pressure. His ability to convert from beyond 50 yards, combined with a smooth, repeatable kicking motion, has made him one of the league’s most reliable specialists. His mental toughness in high-leverage moments, including multiple game-winning kicks, defines his professional profile.
Notable Events and Milestones
Gay’s most notable milestones include becoming a Super Bowl champion with the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LVI, earning a Pro Bowl selection in 2021, and setting an NFL record with four 50-plus-yard field goals in a single game during the 2023 season. His Lou Groza Award and consensus All-American honors in 2017 further cemented his place among the top kickers in recent college football history.
Matt Gay Career Wins
Across his professional career, Matt Gay has compiled 182 made field goals on 216 attempts, giving him an 84.3 percent success rate. His longest successful field goal stands at 58 yards. As of the 2025 season, his kicks have produced 307 touchbacks.
Los Angeles Rams Highlights
During his time with the Rams, Gay developed into one of the league’s premier kickers. He earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2021 and helped deliver a Super Bowl LVI championship. His playoff game-winning kick against the Buccaneers in the 2021 NFC divisional round stands as one of the defining moments of his career.
Indianapolis Colts Highlights
Gay’s second stint with the Colts produced his most prolific statistical performance, including his historic four 50-plus-yard field goal game in Week 3 of the 2023 season. His four-year, $22.5 million contract marked a high point in his free agency value, and he consistently delivered as the team’s primary kicker.
Other Wins and Performances
Gay’s brief stints with the Washington Commanders and San Francisco 49ers in 2025 were less productive statistically, but he continued to show range and accuracy in limited opportunities. His current role with the Las Vegas Raiders reflects the league’s continued confidence in his leg and experience.
| Team | Years | Field Goals Made | Longest FG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 2019 | — | — |
| Indianapolis Colts | 2020, 2023–2024 | — | — |
| Los Angeles Rams | 2020–2022 | — | — |
| Washington Commanders | 2025 | — | — |
| San Francisco 49ers | 2025 | — | — |
| Las Vegas Raiders | 2026–Present | — | — |
Matt Gay Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Matt Gay does not come from a racing background; instead, his athletic lineage is rooted in multi-sport competition. He played soccer and football at Orem High School and was the first player from Utah to attend the U-17 USA Men’s National Team residency program. His athletic versatility and family support helped him transition from a promising soccer career to becoming a record-setting NFL kicker.
Personal Life
Gay wears the initials P.O. on a wristband at every game in honor of his high school teammate Parker Overly, who was killed in a car accident in 2017. Gay and his wife, Millie, have three children: sons Oliver and Oaks, and daughter Cosette. The family has been a steady presence throughout his professional career, supporting his transitions across multiple NFL teams.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was a turbulent year for Matt Gay. After signing a record-setting one-year contract with the Washington Commanders in April, he faced inconsistency in his performances, including missed field goals in Week 2 against the Green Bay Packers and a critical late miss against the Miami Dolphins in Madrid. After appearing in games through Week 6, he was released by the Commanders on November 17.
Shortly after his release, the San Francisco 49ers signed Gay to their practice squad on November 19, 2025, amid a hamstring injury to Eddy Piñeiro. He was released by the 49ers on December 9, 2025, without appearing in a regular season game for the team.
Looking ahead, Gay signed a one-year, $1.6 million contract with the Las Vegas Raiders on March 11, 2026, giving him a fresh opportunity to re-establish himself as a starting NFL kicker. His experience and accuracy from long range position him as a strong candidate to contribute meaningfully for the Raiders.
