Indianapolis Colts’ kicker Matt Gay has had a rough two preseason games, but head coach Shane Steichen is not concerned.
“I don’t,” said Steichen after the Arizona game when asked if he had any concerns. “I really don’t. He’s a pro. I think he’s going to be just fine. We’ll be fine there.”
On field goal attempts, Gay would go 0-for-2 against the Cardinals. This included missing from 53 yards and a 44-yarder in the final minute to put the Colts up two scores.
On field goal attempts in the preseason, Gay is now just 1-for-4 after going 1-for-2 in Denver, and he’s 0-for-2 from 50-plus yards. He has made all four extra-point attempts.
For what it’s worth, Gay’s usual holder, punter Rigoberto Sanchez, did not play on Saturday, so undrafted rookie Spencer Shrader filled in.
The 2023 season was Gay’s first with the Colts after signing in free agency. From inside 50 yards, he was quite reliable, making 35 of his 36 extra point attempts and 25-of-28 on field goal attempts in that range.
However, from over 50 yards, Gay was just 8-for-13–although in Week 3 against Baltimore, he did become the first kicker in NFL history to make four kicks from 50-plus yards in a single game, including the game-winner.
But overall, the 2023 season was not up to par with the standards that Gay sets for himself.
“I feel like last year, for me, a bit of a down year by my standards coming off some good years,” said Gay during the offseason via 107.5 The Fan. “Had a lot of kicks that were right there, and again that doesn’t matter, kicking’s black and white, it either went in or it didn’t.
“So I had a lot of kicks that hit the upright, or things like that, so definitely was not up to my standards last year. A lot that I can learn from, and looking forward to Year 2 to improve and come back better.”
Last offseason, Gay signed a four-year deal worth $22.5 million, which included $13 million guaranteed.
By average annual value, Gay will enter the 2024 season as the league’s fourth-highest paid kicker, according to Over the Cap–and the Colts will need Gay to perform as such.