Dan Quinn Speaks out on Commanders Releasing Kicker Matt Gay Before Bye Week
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Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn delivered a message on releasing kicker Matt Gay.
The NFL is very often a tough business. That’s the overall message Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn delivered when he addressed the team releasing kicker Matt Gay ahead of the team’s bye week.
The Commanders moved on from the veteran kicker the day after he missed two kicks in the league’s first-ever regular season matchup in Spain. One of those misses was a 56-yard attempt in a tie game with 15 seconds remaining in regulation.
The Miami Dolphins defeated the Commanders during overtime of that matchup 16-13.
“Matt has been a fantastic teammate here,” Quinn told the media Tuesday. “An all-time good dude, so really bummed that didn’t work out. But we just felt like this was the change that we needed.
“This is what we think, at this time, is the best decision for the team. When they’re hard like this one because of who the person is, it makes it especially difficult. But you still have to make the decisions that you think are best for the whole team.”
In 10 games this season, Gay made a career-low 68.4% of his field goals.
Gay was particularly struggling from long distance. Of his six misses this season, five of them came from 50 yards or farther away.
The 31-year-old kicker was in his first season with Washington. He has also kicked for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles Rams and Indianapolis Colts.
In 100 career NFL games, Gay has made 84% of his field goals. He’s also connected on 96.6% of his extra points.
Gay, who was a Pro Bowler with the Rams in 2021, didn’t miss an extra point in Washington.
Commanders Release Struggling Matt Gay
As is often the case with NFL kickers, Gay’s misses usually came in situations where a made field goal could have resulted in a different outcome for Washington.
That was the case in Spain. In addition to not connecting at the end of regulation, Gay was no good from 51 yards in the middle of the second quarter against the Dolphins.
In Week 6 versus the Chicago Bears, Gay missed a 50-yarder just before halftime. Washington lost that game by one point.
Furthermore, Gay went 1-for-3 against the Green Bay Packers during Week 2. The Commanders fell in that matchup 27-18.
Gay was well on his way to setting a new career high in misses this season. His six misses in just 19 attempts tied his mark in that category last year when he had 37 attempts.
While Gay owns an 84% success rate on field goals in his career, he hasn’t been above that percentage since 2022. From 2020-22, Gay made 92.5% of his field goals.
He spent all three of those seasons with the Rams.
Commanders Add Kicker Jake Moody
To replace Gay, Washington signed Jake Moody off the Bears practice squad Monday.
Moody’s original team, the San Francisco 49ers, waived him after he went 1-for-3 in the 2025 season opener. But the 25-year-old signed with the Bears practice squad, and the team elevated him for two contests in October.
In those two games, Moody went 8-for-9 and made all three of his extra points. Moody connected on four of five attempts in the 25-24 victory against the Commanders.
Seeing that success first hand could be a reason behind Washington poached Moody off the Bears practice squad.
As a rookie in 2023, Moody led the NFL with 60 extra points made. He owns a 76.1% field goal percentage in 34 NFL games.
Will Howard’s Focused Mindset: ‘Every Rep Counts, One Play at a Time’
As the Pittsburgh Steelers continue their push through the 2025 season, rookie quarterback Will Howard is embodying the mindset that every player should have: "Every rep counts. I’m focusing on doing my job, staying patient, and taking it one play at a time. The game will come to me if I stay disciplined and trust the process."
The Importance of Patience and Discipline
For Will Howard, success isn’t about rushing the process or forcing big plays; it’s about staying patient and trusting his development. Football is a game where timing and consistency are crucial, and Howard understands that it’s the smaller details—the reps, the practice, and the preparation—that ultimately lead to greatness. He’s not trying to make a name for himself with one spectacular throw or a flashy moment; instead, he’s taking a measured approach, focusing on each individual play and doing his job with precision.
Howard’s ability to focus on the process rather than the outcome is an important mindset for any young quarterback. In a league where instant success is often expected, staying disciplined and taking it one play at a time is a mature approach to development. Howard is letting the game come to him, rather than forcing the issue, and in doing so, he’s setting himself up for long-term success.
The Power of Repetition
“Every rep counts” is a simple yet powerful statement. Howard recognizes that the value of each rep—whether in practice, film study, or in live-game situations—adds up over time. By focusing on doing his job and perfecting his technique with every rep, Howard is preparing himself for whatever opportunities may come his way. Every dropback, every throw, every decision on the field helps him build confidence and refine his skills.
This focus on repetition isn’t just about making sure he’s technically sound. It’s about building the mental muscle needed to perform under pressure. The more repetitions Howard takes, the more familiar he becomes with game situations, and the quicker his decision-making becomes. In turn, this allows him to be a more effective quarterback when his number is called.
The Steelers’ Quarterback of the Future?
As the Steelers look to secure their place in the playoffs, Howard is becoming a pivotal figure in their long-term plans. While veteran Aaron Rodgers remains the team’s starter, Howard’s focused mindset is proving valuable. His approach to handling pressure, staying patient, and focusing on each rep shows that he’s not just waiting for an opportunity to play; he’s preparing himself for success, whenever that opportunity comes.
Mike Tomlin, the Steelers’ head coach, has been known for his ability to develop quarterbacks, and Howard’s attitude and work ethic align perfectly with Tomlin’s philosophy. The Steelers are a team built on discipline, effort, and consistency, and Howard’s mindset exemplifies these qualities. While he may not be the starter today, Howard is preparing himself to lead this team in the future, and his focus on taking it one play at a time is a testament to his maturity and dedication.
Looking Ahead
Will Howard’s approach of staying patient, trusting the process, and focusing on each rep is exactly what the Steelers need as they move forward. As the season progresses, this kind of mindset will serve him well, both on and off the field. Howard is proving that it’s not just about making big plays—it’s about consistently doing the little things right, building a foundation that will last.
By staying focused on the task at hand and trusting in his development, Will Howard is positioning himself to be an important piece of the Steelers' future. And in a league full of young, ambitious quarterbacks, that focus on process over perfection could be the key to his success.
