Colts make shocking move to release a multi-year starter and create a clear hole on their roster ahead of 2025 NFL Draft

Colts released kicker Matt Gay 

The Colts signed Matt Gay to the largest free agency contract for a kicker in NFL history ahead of the 2023 season, giving him a four-year $22.5 million contract. He connected on over 93% of his field goal attempts in both of the previous two seasons with the Los Angeles Rams. Sadly, he wasn't able to keep up that type of success with the Colts.

During his first year, he made 33 of his 41 field goal attempts, which gave him an 80.5% FG success rate. In 2024, he upped his % a bit to 83.8% by making 31 of his 37 field goal attempts. His biggest flop with the Colts came on field goals from 50+ yards out. He went 11 for 22 on said field goals over the last two years and only made three of his nine attempts from beyond 50 in 2024.

The Colts obviously want to find more consistency at the position in the future and elected to move on from Gay ahead of the 2025 season. This move saves the Colts $2.75 million in cap space this year and prevents the team from paying Gay an additional $4.75 million in 2026. Now, the only kicker on the Colts roster is Spencer Sharader, who is entering his second season. He spent training camp with the Colts and made a single start for the team in 2024 before joining the New York Jets for a game and the Kansas City Chiefs for two games. He attempted five field goals in 2024 and connected on all of them, with his longest being from 45 yards out.