One of the moves the Las Vegas Raiders have made in free agency so far that hasn’t been universally loved by the fan base was the signing of kicker Matt Gay.
That, of course, it very likely means the end of the eight-season run for the Raiders with Daniel Carlson as their kicker.
Gay been kicking in the NFL for seven years, originally breaking in with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019. He spent one year in Tampa Bay before three seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, making the Pro Bowl in 2021, then two
campaigns with the Indianapolis Colts before spending this past fall with the Washington Commanders (10 games) and San Francisco 49ers (two games after the Commanders released him in November).
He has a career field goal percentage of 84.3 percent (73.9 percent in 2025) with a long of 58 yards (56 yards in 2025) and has made 96.7 percent of his extra points (100 percent in ‘25). Comparatively, Carlson, a free agent, has an 86.9 career field goal percentage (81.5 percent), a long of 60 yards (which was set this past season) and 95.7 extra point rate (95.5 percent). Gay will turn 32 this week and Carlson is 31.
Gay was with Las Vegas general manager John Spytek in Tampa Bay in 2019. New Las Vegas special teams coach Joe Decamilas was his his coach with the Rams in 2021-22 and he had his best seasons there. But, four years removed from a best season is a long time for any player.
In theory, the Raiders could still re-sign Carlson to compete with Gay, but that may be unlikely. Also, they may bring in a young kicker to compete with Gay.
For now, let us know how you feel about this pending switch?
Join the conversation!
Sign up for a user account and get:
- Fewer ads
- Create community posts
- Comment on articles, community posts
- Rec comments, community posts
- New, improved notifications system!
