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          Commanders sign veteran K Matt Gay, release Zane Gonzalez

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          • John KeimApr 29, 2025, 12:37 PM ET
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              John Keim covers the Washington Commanders for ESPN. He joined ESPN in 2013 after a stint with the Washington Post. He started covering the team in 1994 for the Journal Newspapers and later for the Washington Examiner. He has authored/co-authored four books. You can also listen to him on 'The John Keim Report', which airs on ESPN Richmond radio.
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          The Washington Commanders have changed kickers once more. Washington signed veteran kicker Matt Gay, prompting the release of Zane Gonzalez, the team announced Tuesday.

          Gay agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $5 million with $4.35 million fully guaranteed, according to a source. He becomes the eighth kicker to sign with Washington in the past 14 months. The Commanders used four kickers during the season.

          The Commanders have changed kickers for a variety of reasons, from off-field issues to injuries. They signed veteran Brandon McManus in March 2024 but released him two months later amid an investigation into a sexual assault lawsuit filed by two women working as flight attendants when he played for the Jacksonville Jaguars. The suit was later dismissed.

          Cade York opened the season as the kicker but was released after missing two field goals in the season opener. Austin Seibert was signed and steadied the position by making 27 of 30 field goals in nine games. He set a franchise record with seven field goals in his debut, a 21-18 win over the New York Giants in Week 2.

          But Seibert missed two games with a hip injury. When he returned, he missed two extra points and a field goal in a 34-26 loss to Dallas. His second missed extra point would have tied the score with 21 seconds left. Coach Dan Quinn said Seibert suffered a groin injury and he was soon placed on injured reserve.

          Gonzalez kicked in six games for Washington, making 5 of 7 field goals and all 19 extra point attempts. The Commanders re-signed Gonzalez to a one-year contract in March. Greg Joseph also kicked in one game following Seibert's injury.

          Gay has made 85.5% of his field goals. In 2021-22 Gay made a combined 93.8% of his field goals, second best among kickers who appeared in at least one full season. But in the past two seasons, Gay made just 82.1% of his field goals to rank 24th.

          A big difference in those stretches: He made 11 of 14 field goals from 50 yards or longer from 2021-22 but only 11 of 22 the past two seasons.

          The Colts released Gay in April, two years into a four-year contract.

          NFL Network first reported the terms.