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Commanders make big change after loss to Dolphins cutting a player

The Washington Commanders are shaking up their special teams unit after playing the Miami Dolphins.
Jeremy Brener|
Nov 13, 2025; Madrid, Spain; Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn during practice at Ciudad Deportiva del Real Madrid. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Nov 13, 2025; Madrid, Spain; Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn during practice at Ciudad Deportiva del Real Madrid. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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Washington Commanders

The Washington Commanders are making a big change to their special teams unit.

According to NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero, the Commanders are cutting kicker Matt Gay.

Gay cut after poor performance vs. Dolphins

The news comes a little more than 24 hours after the Commanders lost to the Dolphins, where Gay missed two field goals that could have won the game. Instead, the Commanders went to overtime and lost 16-13 against the Dolphins.

Gay missed a kick from 51 yards in the second quarter and another from 56 that would have put the Commanders in front with 15 seconds left to play in regulation.

This season, Gay made 13 of 19 field goal attempts in 10 games for the Commanders. He made all 22 of his extra point attempts.

Before arriving with the Commanders, Gay played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019, the Los Angeles Rams from 2020-22 and the Indianapolis Colts from 2023-24. He was part of the Rams' Super Bowl LVI champion over the Cincinnati Bengals.

READ MORE: Commanders QB says “it is what it is” as season spirals

What's next for Commanders after cutting Gay?

The Commanders will look for a new kicker during the bye week. Gay missed the team's Week 8 contest against the Kansas City Chiefs due to injury and replaced him with Matthew Wright, but he is currently on the active roster for the Houston Texans, who promoted him after an injury to longtime starter Ka'imi Fairbairn.

Wright likely won't be available for the Commanders, so they will have to look elsewhere for Gay's replacement.

The Commanders will look for a new kicker ahead of their Week 13 matchup on Nov. 30 against the Denver Broncos. The two teams are scheduled to play on Sunday Night Football at 8:20 p.m. ET inside Northwest Stadium. Fans can watch the game on NBC or stream it on Peacock.

READ MORE: Joe Whitt Jr. addresses Commanders play-caller switch to Dan Quinn

Stick with CommanderGameday and the Locked On Commanders podcast for more FREE coverage of the Washington Commanders throughout the 2025 season.

More Washington Commanders News

• Commanders legend Joe Theismann weighs in on the team's big shakeup

• Commanders open practice window for intriguing pass rusher they added this offseason

• Rival coach says he's 'forever indebted' to Commanders' Dan Quinn

• Commanders new stadium update gives fans something to be excited about

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several On SI sites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid and resides in Central Florida. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener.

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