Sean McVay Dreading Matchup With Former Los Angeles Rams Kicker Matt Gay

The Los Angeles Rams will have to face off against old friend and former kicker Matt Gay when they face off against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.

For Indianapolis Colts kicker Matt Gay, Sunday's matchup against the Los Angeles Rams holds a bit more importance than the average game.

Of course, that's because Gay is facing off against his former team for the first time. He spent the better part of three years with the Rams, and was extremely efficient by making 92.5 percent of his field goals and 97.9 percent of his extra points. His efficiency with the Rams led to him getting a four-year, $22.5-million contract from the Colts this offseason, the largest free agent contract ever for a kicker. 

So far, Gay has more than lived up to that contract. Not only has he made every single kick, six field goals and eight extra points, but he had one of the best games ever by a kicker against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. Four of Gay's five field goals, including the game-winner in overtime, came from over 50 yards away, making him the first kicker ever to make four kicks from such a distance in one game. Gay earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week following his historic performance.

Now, Gay turns his attention to facing his former team, a matchup Rams coach Sean McVay is less than thrilled about.

Los Angeles Rams kicker Matt Gay kicks the game-winning field goal during the second half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a NFC Divisional playoff game at Raymond James Stadium / Jan 23, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Rams kicker Matt Gay (8) kicks the game winning field goal during the second half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a NFC Divisional playoff football game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

“I'll tell you what, Matt made a lot of those kicks for us and so I'm grateful for that," McVay told reporters on Friday. "I don't love having to play against a guy like that. . . But Matt Gay was an awesome player, great guy. I was so happy for him and his family to be able to get the recognition that he got when he was here and then also to be able to go earn that contract. It's bittersweet but you're happy for him because he meant so much to us and I love the person."

Ironically enough, Gay first came to L.A. by way of Indianapolis' practice squad, as the Rams signed him to replace an injured Kai Forbath in November 2020. By returning to the Colts, Gay experienced somewhat of a full-circle moment.

After losing the Gay, the Rams went most of the offseason without a clear answer at kicker. That changed just before the regular season, when they signed former Dallas Cowboys kicker Brett Maher. Maher has been solid through the first three games, making nine of 11 field goals and all six extra points.

The Rams and Colts kick off  at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT on Sunday from Lucas Oil Stadium.