HENDERSON, Nev. The Kansei Matsuzawa Raiders kicking battle has taken on a cooperative tone this training camp, with coaches and players emphasizing competition that lifts the whole roster.
Head coach Klint Kubiak’s message of competing with each other, not against each other, has resonated across position groups. Quarterbacks Fernando Mendoza and Kirk Cousins have cited it, and defensive backs and receivers have echoed the approach as they push one another.
The same spirit applies to a position defined by results. Special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis called the race between veteran Matt Gay and rookie Kansei Matsuzawa “a legitimate competition,” and both kickers said they enjoy working together.
“He’s been awesome,” Gay said of Matsuzawa. “He’s way farther ahead than I was as a rookie, and he hits the ball great. We get along really, really nice.”
Matsuzawa on Gay: “Matt is an amazing guy, and I’m so happy to work with him. And he’s a great mentor, and I’m so grateful to have a veteran kicker like him.”
Kansei Matsuzawa Raiders opportunity rooted in Hawaii ties
Matsuzawa, nicknamed “The Tokyo Toe” during his All-American season at the University of Hawaii last year, is aiming to become the first Japanese-born player to appear in an NFL game. His journey traces back to attending a Raiders home game in 2018 in Oakland, which inspired him to take up kicking.
This spring, Las Vegas signed him as an undrafted free agent, a “full-circle moment,” he said.
“It’s so beautiful,” Matsuzawa said of joining the franchise he once cheered. “But now I’m on the player side, so it’s really exciting.”
Gay seeks resurgence with DeCamillis
Gay, a Pro Bowler with the Rams in 2021 under DeCamillis, is working to revive his career after a turbulent 2025 that included three releases before he landed with the Raiders this spring. He said reuniting with DeCamillis has helped him find his rhythm.
“We get each other pretty well,” Gay said. “I’d like to get back to that performance and that peak where I was in ‘21, ‘22 in L.A. I know that that’s still in me.”
Through the opening stretch of camp, Gay has handled the first-team reps. He has missed once wide right from 52 yards and hit several others, including from 55.
Matsuzawa has been steady as well, perfect aside from a 40-yarder that glanced off the right upright. His progress mirrors other recent Hawaii specialists such as those highlighted in Hawaii punters Heil and Miller progressing in camp.
Path forward for Kansei Matsuzawa Raiders rookie
The competition could extend beyond camp. Matsuzawa is eligible for the NFL’s International Pathway Program.
If waived and unclaimed, he could be designated as a 17th practice squad player. DeCamillis said that scenario is on the table if Matsuzawa does not win the job over Gay.
“Hopefully he can show enough,” DeCamillis said. “I hope he keeps showing what he’s showing right now, and hopefully, we get a chance to keep him at the end of camp, which would be great.”
