Former Washington Commanders kicker has huge day in Week 12

Wouldn't you know it, a former Washington Commanders kicker had a huge day on Sunday?

"A huge day" is not an understatement, because this former Washington kicker connected on field goals Sunday, from 56, 54, and 41 yards, going 3-3 for the game. Yes, Zane Gonzalez had to enjoy his day, nailing two kicks from over 50 yards. This comes as Washington has struggled with Matt Gay this season. Gay had a strong enough leg that was never the problem. But Gay really struggled from 50+ yards.

In 2024, the Commanders went through the kickers like crazy. You remember, as they signed Brandon McManus, Ramiz Ahmed, Riley Patterson, Cade York, Austin Seibert, Zane Gonzalez and Greg Joseph.

Gonzalez had come to Washington in November, when Austin Seibert suddenly missed two extra points against Dallas in a home game loss. Seibert had been having a great season with field goal accuracy, but distance was not his strongest suit.

Enter Gonzalez. Gonzalez took over for Seibert and enjoyed making the walk-off field goal off the left upright in Tampa against the Tampa Bay Bucs for the Commanders' playoff win in January. In March, Commanders GM Adam Peters decided to re-sign Gonzalez to a one-year $1.2M deal.

But then Peters determined in April to sign veteran Matt Gay for the job, signing Gay to a one-year $4.2M deal. Not needing Gonzalez, the Commanders released him. Gonzalez, however, found the going tough as no NFL team wanted Gonzalez. In fact, Gonzalez was not able to sign with another NFL team until November 5, when Atlanta brought him aboard.

So coming into Sunday, Gonzalez had kicked for the Falcons two games, making all five extra-point attempts as well as all three field goal attempts, including one from 50+. Sunday, he nailed three more with two from over 50, so through three games, Gonzalez is now 6-6 in field goals with 3-3 on kicks beyond 50 yards.

Don't you know Adam Peters is shaking his head right now?

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Ex-kicker has huge Week 12 performance