Stampede Blue
Gone is Matt Gay from the Colts roster, meaning the team now turns to two young kickers to try to earn the starting job. Can either turn into the long-term answer the Colts have searched for years for post-Vinatieri.
The Colts released veteran Kicker Matt Gay this offseason after 2 disappointing seasons. The former Pro Bowl Kicker was 53/56 on Field Goals under 50 yards (94.6%) and was 68/69 on extra points (98.6%), but struggled on deeper kicks with 11/22 on 50+ yard attempts.
To replace him the Colts have brought in two options, one of which should be a bit familiar to some Colts fans. Spencer Shrader was the Colts camp leg who competed against Gay last training camp and then was sent down to the practice squad for the start of the regular season. Sharp-eyed fans might have noticed he was released from the practice squad and signed to the practice squad 4 times each in October.
However Shrader was eventually signed by the Jets before making his way to the Chiefs. He was 5/5 on Field Goals (none over 50 yards, 2 over 40 yards) and 6/6 on extra points during his time kicking for both squads. The Colts snagged the former Notre Dame Fighting Irishman right back on to their roster this offseason, with a big opportunity to earn his 1st starting job to start an NFL season.
Shrader’s competition Maddux Trujillo is an undrafted free agent entering his rookie year. He started his collegiate career as the kicker for Austin Peay, going 38/53 (71.7%) on kicks and making 96.2% of his extra points over his first 3 seasons. Trujillo transferred from the Governors to the Temple Owls last season where he went 16/22 (72.7%) on kicks including 5/8 (62.5%) from 50+ yard range and a perfect 21/21 on Extra Points. He even made a career long of 64 yards during his final season.
Shrader is the favorite with his NFL efficiency, but Trujillo’s powerful leg could make the battle interesting. Shrader’s lack of 50+ yard kicks in the NFL are a clear question, especially when in College his first 4 seasons at South Florida he was 1/5 from 50+ yards before transferring to Notre Dame and going 4/7 with his longest make of College being a 54 yarder in 2023. The shadow of former legendary Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri looms large on this position, as they didn’t find a sufficient long term successor after his retirement with Michael Badgely, Chase McLaughlin, Rodrigo Blankenship, and Matt Gay all taking up kicking duties in recent years. Perhaps the successor will be found in one of these two young Kickers?
