League: NFL Sport: Football Country: United States Category: Scores & Results

Kansei Matsuzawa and Matt Gay compete for Raiders' kicker role

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 7, 2026, 4:04 PM

Last updated Aug 7, 2026

Football

Summary

Kansei Matsuzawa, the rookie kicker, is competing with veteran Matt Gay for the starting job with the Las Vegas Raiders during training camp in Henderson, Nevada. Both players have expressed mutual respect and admiration, describing their competition as a positive experience. Special teams coordinator Joe Decamillis has characterized their battle as a legitimate competition. Matsuzawa is praised for his skills, with Gay acknowledging that he has progressed well as a rookie. Training camp continues as the Raiders explore their roster options.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•Kansei Matsuzawa is a rookie competing for the kicker position.
•Matt Gay is a veteran kicker also vying for the starting job.
•The competition is described as friendly and beneficial for both players.
•Raiders' training camp is taking place in Henderson, Nevada.
•Special teams coordinator Joe Decamillis oversees the kicker competition.

Latest Updates

4:04 PMYahoo Sports — Former UH kicker Kansei Matsuzawa is in a friendly battle for the Raiders’ starting job

What they're saying

"
HENDERSON, Nev. — Klint Kubiak’s Las Vegas Raiders have adopted a mantra for their many position battles this training camp: Compete with each other, not against each other. Fernando Mendoza popularized the phrase when talking about his pairing with Kirk Cousins and the rest of the quarterback room. They’re working together to help the veteran Cousins succeed as the starter while also setting ...
— Yahoo Sports

Related Teams & Leagues

Las Vegas Raiders NFL Football