Former Utah Kicker Matt Gay Waived By Tampa Bay Buccuneers
Sep 4, 2020, 11:22 AM
Matt Gay #9 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicks a 48-yard field goal to win the preseason game 16-14 against the Miami Dolphins at Raymond James Stadium on August 16, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
(Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Former University of Utah kicker Matt Gay has been cut from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ahead of his second season in the National Football League.
He was beaten out by 11 year NFL vet and former Tennessee Titan Ryan Succop. Gay becomes the second Buccaneer to be drafted then cut after his rookie second in the last five years.
#Buccaneers are waiving K Matt Gay, sources tell me and @TomPelissero. Last year's fifth-round pick. Ryan Succop takes over in Tampa.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) September 4, 2020
Gay, 26, was previously drafted by the Buccaneers in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft and was expected to fill the kicking duties at Tampa for the foreseeable future.
However, during his rookie season, Gay missed a handful of crucial kicks. Most notably against the New York Giants in week three when Gay missed a game-winning 34-yard attempt from directly in front with no time left on the clock. He had missed two extra points earlier in the match and the Bucs would ultimately lose to the Giants by a point.
Although, during Gay’s rookie season, he also had moments of brilliance. Gay hit 5 of 8 field goals from 50 plus yards with a career-long of 58 yards. He was dynamite from distance.
Through one NFL season, Gay holds a 77.1 field goal percentage notching 27 made field goals from 25 attempts.
Gay will now be placed on the waiver wire and teams will have 24 hours to bid on the former Ute. If no teams reach out for the services of Gay, he will become an unrestricted free agent.
