From college walk-on to the highest-paid free-agent kicker in NFL history

History · Published 5 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Matt Gay's journey through professional football is defined by precision and record-breaking contracts. After transferring to the Utah Utes as a walk-on, he rose to become an NFL Pro Bowler and a Super Bowl champion, eventually securing a historic deal that redefined the market value for specialists.

Matt Gay's ascent in football began with a significant transition. After playing soccer for the Utah Valley Wolverines, he transferred to the Utah Utes in 2017 as a walk-on. His influence was felt instantly; he earned status as the school's seventh consensus All-American and the inaugural Ute to receive the Lou Groza Award. During that campaign, he topped the country in field goals, establishing a Pac-12 Conference record of 30 successful kicks.

His professional career began in the 2019 NFL draft, when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected him in the fifth round, 145th overall. Following his time in Tampa, Gay moved through several franchises, including the Los Angeles Rams, where he achieved Super Bowl LVI glory. During his tenure with the Rams, he earned his first Pro Bowl selection in 2021 after converting 32 of 34 field goal attempts.

Gay has also been a pioneer in the economics of kicking. By March 2023, he had inked a $22.5 million, four-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts, marking the NFL's biggest free-agent kicker contract then. Later, in April 2025, he signed a $5 million deal with the Washington Commanders, featuring a $4.25 million guarantee—the highest guaranteed amount on a one-year contract for a kicker in history.

Beyond the numbers, Gay's career is marked by unique feats and personal resilience. In 2023, he became the first kicker to hit four field goals of 50 yards or more in a single game. He also carries a wristband with the initials "P.O." to honor high school teammate Parker Overly, who died in a 2017 car accident.

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