Who Should I Start? Matt Gay or Jake Bates

Monday, March 9, 6:35 PM

The Las Vegas Raiders are signing veteran free-agent kicker Matt Gay to an undisclosed deal on Monday evening, his agents told Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. The move to bring Gay in pretty much seals previous placekicker Daniel Carlson leaving in unrestricted free agency. The 31-year-old Gay was cut by the Washington Commanders last year after going 13-for-19 on his field-goal attempts in 10 games. He was picked up by the San Francisco 49ers and went 4-for-4 on field goals and 4-for-4 on extra-point attempts in just two games before Eddy Pineiro returned from injury. The former fifth-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019 out of Utah has made 84.3% of his 216 career field-goal attempts, including going 32-for-54 from 50-plus yards in his seven NFL seasons. The Raiders' offense could be much improved in 2026, even with a rookie signal-caller most likely starting most of the games. Still, Gay shouldn't be drafted in 12-team fantasy leagues.