Matthew Wright (American football)

Matthew Wright

Wright with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022
Tennessee Titans
Position:	Placekicker
Personal information
Born:	(1996-03-22) March 22, 1996 (age 28) Lancaster, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height:	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:	174 lb (79 kg)
Career information
High school:	Lampeter-Strasburg (Lampeter, Pennsylvania)
College:	UCF (2014–2018)
Undrafted:	2019
Career history
Pittsburgh Steelers (2019)* Tampa Bay Vipers (2020)* Pittsburgh Steelers (2020) Detroit Lions (2021)* Jacksonville Jaguars (2021) Kansas City Chiefs (2022) Pittsburgh Steelers (2022) Kansas City Chiefs (2022) Carolina Panthers (2023)* San Francisco 49ers (2023)* Atlanta Falcons (2023)* New England Patriots (2023)* Carolina Panthers (2023) Pittsburgh Steelers (2024)* San Francisco 49ers (2024) Kansas City Chiefs (2024) Tennessee Titans (2024)
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status: Practice squad Career highlights and awards Super Bowl champion (LVII) Colley Matrix national champion (2017) 2× Second-team All-AAC (2017, 2018) Career NFL statistics as of 2024 Field goals made: 55 Field goal attempts: 63 Field goal %: 87.3 Longest field goal: 59 Stats at Pro Football Reference Matthew Wright (born March 22, 1996) is an American professional football placekicker for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). Wright played college football at UCF where he was a member of the undefeated 2017 team that was selected as National Champions by the Colley Matrix. [1] He was a member of the 2022 Kansas City Chiefs team who won Super Bowl LVII over the Philadelphia Eagles by a score of 38–35. Wright went undrafted in the 2019 NFL draft and signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but never saw any NFL playing time. In 2020, he signed with the Tampa Bay Vipers of the XFL before being released and being resigned by the Steelers, with whom he made his NFL debut on December 7, 2020, against the Washington Football Team. [2] Wright is known for breaking the Jacksonville Jaguars' 20-game losing streak in 2021. On October 17, he scored two fourth quarter field goals, including a game-winning 53 yarder, in an NFL International Series game against the Miami Dolphins in London, which ended the Jaguars 20-game losing streak that started in week 2 of the 2020 season. [3] Early life Wright attended Lampeter-Strasburg High School in Lampeter, Pennsylvania. [1] As the placekicker on Lampeter-Strasburg's football team, he finished his high school kicking career making 15 of 18 attempted kicks, including 9 of 11 as a senior, with a high school career-long of 42 yards. [1] Wright also converted 122 of 126 extra point kicks in his high school career. [1] He was named to the Pennsylvania Football News Class AAA First-team and a Section Two First-team All-Star (as a punter and placekicker). [1] Coming out of high school, Wright was a three-star college kicking prospect and the #46 kicker nationally as ranked by ESPN. [1] Wright also played high school soccer, earning Lancaster Newspaper's Fall All-Star honors. [1] College career Wright, wearing his 11 jersey, walking in the 2018 UCF Parade at the Magic Kingdom, following their Peach Bowl & National Championship season Wright holds the UCF Knights Football records for most career points (375), most field goals made (55), most extra points (PATs), (212, including 153 consecutive made PATs), tied for the best career kicking percentage (.774), and second-best career PAT percentage (.985). [1] Wright was redshirted his true freshman season before going on to be the Knights primary placekicker for the next four seasons. [1] [4] In 2014, as a true freshman, Wright earned American Athletic Conference (AAC) All-Academic Team honors. [1] In 2015, as a redshirt freshman, Wright made 13 of 17 field goal attempts (.765) with a long of 48 yards while recording one tackle. [1] In 2016, as a redshirt sophomore, Wright became one of just 11 Knights ever to make a 50-yard field goal attempt. [1] Making 17 of 22 field goal attempts (.772) (50-yard long) during the 2016 season, Wright's .773 kicking percentage placed seventh all-time in UCF football history for single season kick percentage. [1] Wright was named to the 2016-17 American All-Academic Team. [1] Entering his redshirt junior season in 2017, Wright was named to the Lou Groza Award preseason watch list (best placekicker in college football). He also handled kickoff specialist duties during the season. [1] Following Wright's performance against the Memphis, Wright was named the American Special Teams Player of the Week. In the Knights' game versus Austin Peay, he set the UCF single-game extra points record (10). [1] On January 1, 2018, Wright made two field goals against the Auburn in the Peach Bowl as the Knights finished their season 13-0. After the victory, the school announced they would claim a National Championship despite not making the College Football Playoff and never being ranked higher than 10th. [1] Wright finished the 2017 season making 13 of 18 field goal attempts (.722) with a long of 47 yards. [1] With his 2017 season performance, Wright set the UCF Knights single-season record for most kicking points scored (119), the second-most points scored in a season, and the most extra points in a season (80). [1] Wright earned Second-team All-AAC honors. [1] In 2018, Wright again served as both UCF's placekicker and kickoff specialist. In back-to-back weeks following the Knights' games against Memphis and East Carolina University, Wright was named the AAC Special Teams Player of the Week. [1] Wright finished the season converting 12 of 14 field goal attempts (.857) with a long of 46 yards. [1] In successfully converting all 74 PATs, Wright became only the eighth player in UCF program history to make every PAT in a season. [1] Wright ended the season with a 58.3-yard kickoff average, including 29 touchbacks, with two tackles and a fumble recovery. [1] Wright earned AAC Second-team honors for his 2018 senior kicking efforts. [1] Wright also earned the University of Central Florida's most prestigious honor, the Order of the Pegasus Award, for exemplary performance in "academic achievement, outstanding university involvement, leadership, and community service." [1] [5] [6] After graduating, Wright signed with GatNation, LLC who represented him as sports agents from March 2019 through July 2023. College statistics Year G Kicking XPM XPA XP% FGM FGA FG% Pts 2015 12 17 17 100.0 13 17 76.5 56 2016 13 39 41 95.1 17 22 77.3 90 2017 13 80 81 98.8 13 18 72.2 119 2018 13 74 74 100.0 12 14 85.7 110 Career 51 210 213 98.6 55 71 77.5 375 Professional career Pre-draft measurables Height Weight Arm length Hand span 5 ft 11+1⁄4 in (1.81 m) 174 lb (79 kg) 29+1⁄8 in (0.74 m) 9+1⁄2 in (0.24 m) All values from UCF's Pro Day [7] Pittsburgh Steelers (first stint) Wright was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent following the 2019 NFL draft. [8] He was waived on August 31, 2019, during final roster cuts. [9] Tampa Bay Vipers On October 16, 2019, Wright was selected by the Tampa Bay Vipers of the XFL in Phase 5 of the 2020 XFL Draft. [10] On January 22, 2020, he was released during training camp. [11] Pittsburgh Steelers (second stint) On November 30, 2020, Wright was re-signed by the Steelers to their practice squad. [12] He was elevated to the active roster on December 7, December 26, and January 2, 2021, for the team's weeks 13, 16, and 17 games against the Washington Football Team, Indianapolis Colts, and Cleveland Browns, and reverted to the practice squad after each game. [13] [14] [15] Wright was two-of-two on extra points against Washington, and made his first career field goal from 37 yards out. Wright finished the season having made all four of his field goal attempts, including a long of 46 yards, and all seven extra point attempts. [16] On January 18, 2021, following the season, Wright's practice squad contract with the team expired. [17] Detroit Lions On January 22, 2021, the Detroit Lions signed Wright to a reserve/futures contract. [16] On August 10, 2021, the Lions waived Wright. [18] Jacksonville Jaguars On September 27, 2021, Wright was signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad. [19] On October 16, 2021, he was signed to the Jaguars' active roster. [20] On October 10, 2021, Wright got his first start in the Jaguars' Week 5 game against the Tennessee Titans. He went 0/1, missing a 53-yard field goal and 1/2 on extra points. On October 17, 2021, in an NFL International Series game played in London, England against the Miami Dolphins, Wright went 3/3 on field goals, including a career-long 54-yard field goal and a game-winning 53-yard field goal that snapped the Jaguars' 20-game losing streak and gave them their first win since September 13, 2020. [21] For his performance he was awarded AFC Special Teams Player Of The Week. [22] On October 19, 2021, Wright was named the starter going forward as Jacksonville cut former starter, Josh Lambo, from their roster. [23] On May 11, 2022, Wright was waived by the Jaguars. [24] Kansas City Chiefs (first stint) Wright in 2022 Wright was signed to the Kansas City Chiefs' practice squad on September 27, 2022. [25] He was elevated to the active roster on October 1, and then reverted back to the practice squad after the game. [26] Wright was elevated again on October 10. In the Week 5 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders, he broke what was at the time the Chiefs' franchise record for longest field goal with a 59-yard field goal. [27] Pittsburgh Steelers (third stint) On November 9, 2022, Wright was signed by the Steelers off the Chiefs practice squad. [28] He was released on December 10, 2022. [29] Kansas City Chiefs (second stint) Wright was signed to the Chiefs practice squad on January 6, 2023. [30] That same day, he was elevated to the active roster via a standard elevation. However, Wright did not play and was inactive for the Chiefs' Week 18 game against the Raiders. [31] He was released on January 30, 2023. [32] Carolina Panthers (first stint) On August 8, 2023, Wright signed with the Carolina Panthers. [33] He was waived on August 26, 2023. [34] San Francisco 49ers On September 4, 2023, Wright was signed to the San Francisco 49ers practice squad, but was released five days later. [35] [36] Atlanta Falcons On November 23, 2023, Wright was signed to the Atlanta Falcons practice squad. [37] He was released on November 28. [38] New England Patriots On November 30, 2023, Wright was signed to the New England Patriots practice squad. [39] He was released on December 8. [40] Carolina Panthers (second stint) On January 2, 2024, Wright was signed to the Panthers practice squad. [41] Wright was elevated to the active roster for Week 18, missing one 52 yard field goal attempt, his only attempt of the day, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before returning to the practice squad. [42] He was not signed to a reserve/future contract and thus became a free agent at the end of the season upon the expiration of his practice squad contract. [43] Pittsburgh Steelers (fourth stint) On April 10, 2024, Wright signed with the Steelers. [44] He was waived on August 26. [45] San Francisco 49ers (second stint) On October 8, 2024, Wright signed with the 49ers following an injury to starting 49ers kicker Jake Moody. [46] On October 19, Wright was placed on injured reserve after injuring his shoulder and back in Week 6 matchup against the Seahawks. [47] He was released on November 15. [48] Kansas City Chiefs (third stint) Wright (left), with the Chiefs, kicks off to the Las Vegas Raiders on November 29, 2024, under the 2024 kickoff rules On November 26, 2024, Wright was signed to the Chiefs' practice squad following an injury to Spencer Shrader. [49] He was signed to the active roster on December 4. [50] Wright booted 4 field goals in a 19-17 victory in his first game back with the Chiefs. [51] In his second game back, he hit 4–of–4 kicks, including the game winner as time expired against the Chargers which helped the Chiefs clinch the AFC West. [52] The game winning 31-yard field goal hit the left upright before going in, which caused many to title it "A Doink for the Division." [53] Wright was awarded his second AFC Special Teams Player Of The Week because of his performance. [54] He was later released on December 14, 2024, when Harrison Butker returned in Week 15 when the Chiefs face against the Cleveland Browns. [55] [56] Tennessee Titans On December 26, 2024, Wright was signed to the Tennessee Titans practice squad following an injury to Nick Folk, and promoted to the active roster two days later. [57] [58] After making all three of his kicks in Week 17, he was waived on December 30. [59] However, Wright was added back to the Titans' practice squad on January 1, 2024. [60] He was elevated for the season closer and made both of his field goals once again. [61] NFL career statistics Year Team GP Overall FGs PATs Kickoffs Points Blk Lng FGA FGM Pct XPA XPM Pct Blk KO TB 2020 PIT 3 0 46 4 4 100.0 7 7 100.0 0 15 1 19 2021 JAX 14 0 56 24 21 87.5 15 13 86.6 0 31 5 76 2022 KC 2 0 59 4 3 75.0 8 8 100.0 0 13 10 17 PIT 4 0 52 14 12 85.7 7 7 100.0 0 23 5 43 2023 CAR 1 0 0 1 0 0.0 0 0 0.0 0 1 1 0 2024 SF 1 0 41 3 3 100.0 3 3 100.0 0 8 1 12 KC 2 0 50 9 8 88.9 2 2 100.0 0 6 1 26 TEN 2 0 39 4 4 100.0 1 1 100.0 0 7 1 13 Total 29 0 59 63 55 87.3 43 41 95.3 0 104 26 206 Personal life As a senior at UCF, Wright worked as an aerospace engineering intern at Lockheed Martin. [62] Following his graduation from UCF in December 2018, Lockheed Martin offered Wright a full-time job with the company, which Wright accepted and worked until September 2021. [62] [63] References "Matthew Wright - 2018 - Football". UCF Athletics. Retrieved October 17, 2021. "Matthew Wright NFL game log". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on November 26, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2024. DiRocco, Michael (October 17, 2021). "Jaguars throw 'slider' to help end 20-game skid". ESPN.com . Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 26, 2024. "Matthew Wright College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved February 2, 2023. "All Inductees • Order of Pegasus • UCF" . Retrieved October 17, 2021. "Order of Pegasus • UCF" . Retrieved October 17, 2021. "2019 NFL Draft Scout Matt Wright College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved May 6, 2023. Adamski, Chris (May 22, 2019). "Rookie Matthew Wright given shot to unseat Chris Boswell as Steelers kicker". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review . Retrieved February 1, 2023. Varley, Teresa (August 31, 2019). "Steelers make roster cuts". Steelers.com. Retrieved February 1, 2023. Wilson, Burt (January 14, 2020). "Matthew Wright, a Lampeter-Strasburg grad, kicking for XFL's Vipers". LancasterOnline. Retrieved February 2, 2023. "XFL Transactions". XFL.com. Retrieved December 7, 2020. Varley, Teresa (November 30, 2020). "Steelers make moves ahead of Ravens game". Steelers.com. Retrieved January 9, 2021. Varley, Teresa (December 7, 2020). "Steelers make multiple roster moves". Steelers.com. Retrieved January 14, 2021. Varley, Teresa (December 26, 2020). "Steelers continue to make roster moves". Steelers.com. Retrieved February 8, 2021. Varley, Teresa (January 2, 2021). "Steelers make multiple roster moves". Steelers.com. Archived from the original on February 23, 2021. Retrieved February 15, 2021. "Lions' Matthew Wright: Gets deal with Lions". CBSSports.com . January 22, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2023. Bryan, Dave (January 18, 2021). "Steelers Let Contracts Of Five Practice Squad Players, Including QB Devlin Hodges, Expire". SteelersDepot.com. Retrieved February 18, 2021. Schlitt, Erik (August 10, 2021). "Lions sign kicker Zane Gonzalez, waive Matthew Wright". Pride of Detroit. SB Nation. Retrieved February 1, 2023. Harvey, Demetrius (September 27, 2021). "Jaguars sign K Matthew Wright to practice squad, Release WR Phillip Dorsett". Big Cat Country. Retrieved September 27, 2021. "Roster Moves: K Wright signed to active roster, OL McDermott & WR Treadwell elevated". Jaguars.com. October 16, 2021. Archived from the original on May 26, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2023. Werner, Barry (October 17, 2021). "XFL castoff Matthew Wright hits 54-, 53-yard field goals as Jaguars snap losing streak". Touchdown Wire. Retrieved February 2, 2023. Maya, Adam (October 20, 2021). "Cowboys QB Dak Prescott, Titans RB Derrick Henry among NFL Players of the Week". NFL.com. Retrieved October 20, 2021. DeArdo, Bryan (October 19, 2021). "Jaguars release kicker Josh Lambo following Matthew Wright's strong outing in win over Dolphins". CBSSports.com. Retrieved October 19, 2021. "Roster Moves: OL and DE/OLB claimed, K Matthew Wright waived". Jaguars.com. May 11, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2023. Williams, Charean (September 27, 2022). "Chiefs sign Matthew Wright to practice squad". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved February 2, 2023. @Chiefs (October 1, 2022). "We have ruled out K Harrison Butker for Sunday's game. We activated Practice Squad players LB Elijah Lee and K Matthew Wright via Standard Elevation" (Tweet) – via Twitter. Skretta, Dave (October 11, 2022). "Chiefs hold on for wild 30-29 victory over rival Raiders". AP NEWS. Retrieved February 1, 2023. Varley, Teresa (November 9, 2022). "Steelers sign Wright to 53-man roster". Steelers.com. Archived from the original on December 4, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2023. Varley, Teresa (December 10, 2022). "Boswell activated to 53-man roster". Steelers.com. Retrieved February 1, 2023. Goldman, Charles (January 6, 2023). "Chiefs to sign K Matthew Wright to practice squad". Chiefs Wire. USA Today. Retrieved February 2, 2023. Teope, Herbie (January 7, 2023). "Mecole Hardman headlines Chiefs' list of inactive players vs. Raiders in Las Vegas". KansasCity.com. Retrieved February 1, 2023. Goldman, Charles (January 30, 2023). "Chiefs re-sign WR Jerrion Ealy to practice squad, release K Matthew Wright". Chiefs Wire. USA Today. Retrieved February 2, 2023. Gantt, Darin (August 8, 2023). "Panthers add a kicker to the roster". Panthers.com. Carolina Panthers. Retrieved August 8, 2023. Gantt, Darin (August 26, 2023). "Panthers waive 11 players Saturday". Panthers.com. Retrieved June 9, 2024. "49ers Sign K Matthew Wright to the Practice Squad; Release RB". 49ers.com. September 4, 2023. Retrieved June 9, 2024. "49ers Activate Bosa to Active Roster and Announce Other Roster Moves". 49ers.com. September 9, 2023. Retrieved June 9, 2024. Urben, Matt (November 23, 2023). "Falcons sign kicker Matthew Wright to practice squad". Falcons Wire. USA Today. Retrieved November 23, 2023. Urben, Matt (November 28, 2023). "Falcons release kicker Matthew Wright from practice squad". Falcons Wire. USA Today. Retrieved November 29, 2023. "Patriots Sign Kicker Matthew Wright to the Practice Squad; Release WR Mathew Sexton". Patriots.com. November 30, 2023. Retrieved December 1, 2023. Thomas, Oliver (December 8, 2023). "Patriots waive veteran Ty Montgomery, opening roster spot for deferred waiver claim". Pats Pulpit. Retrieved December 9, 2023. Gantt, Darin (January 2, 2024). "Panthers add kicker Matthew Wright". Panthers.com. Retrieved June 9, 2024. "Matthew Wright: Back to practice squad". CBSSports.com. January 9, 2024. Retrieved June 9, 2024. Rizzuti, Anthony (January 8, 2024). "Panthers sign 11 players to future deals on Monday". Panthers Wire. USA Today . Retrieved June 9, 2024. Varley, Teresa (April 10, 2024). "Steelers sign Wright". Steelers.com. Pittsburgh Steelers. Retrieved April 11, 2024. Varley, Teresa (August 26, 2024). "Steelers make additional roster moves". Steelers.com. "49ers Sign Kicker Matthew Wright to a One-Year Deal". 49ers.com. October 8, 2024. Retrieved October 8, 2024. "49ers' Matthew Wright: Officially placed on IR". CBS Sports. October 19, 2024. Retrieved October 19, 2024. Marvi, Robert (November 16, 2024). "The 49ers Have Waived Kicker Matthew Wright -- With A Twist". Niners Daily. "Matthew Wright: Joins Chiefs' practice squad". CBS Sports. Retrieved November 30, 2024. Ediger, Jon. "Chiefs place kicker on IR, sign Matthew Wright from practice squad". Chiefs Wire. Retrieved December 5, 2024. Skretta, Dave (November 29, 2024). "Chiefs recover botched snap by Raiders in closing seconds, clinch playoff berth with 19-17 victory". AP News. Foote, Jordan (December 9, 2024). "Matthew Wright Explains Approach for Dramatic Game-Winning Kick vs. Chargers". SI. Retrieved December 9, 2024. Wong, Kristen (December 8, 2024). "NFL World in Utter Disbelief After Chiefs Beat Chargers on a Lucky Doink". SI. Retrieved December 13, 2024. "Kicker Matthew Wright Named AFC "Special Teams Player of the Week"". Kansas City Chiefs. Retrieved December 13, 2024. Bell, Jarrett (December 14, 2024). "Life of an NFL 'kicker for hire' is not easy. Just look at Chiefs hero Matthew Wright". USA TODAY. Flores, Elizabeth (December 14, 2024). "Kansas City Chiefs release kicker Matthew Wright as Harrison Butker is set to return". USA TODAY. Wyatt, Jim (December 26, 2024). "Roster Moves: Titans Add Kicker Matthew Wright to Practice Squad, LB David Long Jr. Fails Physical". TennesseeTitans.com. Retrieved December 26, 2024. Wyatt, Jim (December 28, 2024). "Titans Make a Flurry of Roster Moves Ahead of Sunday's Game vs Jaguars". TennesseeTitans.com. Wyatt, Jim (December 30, 2024). "Titans Waive Kicker Matthew Wright". TennesseeTitans.com. Mihalko, Mark (January 1, 2024). "Titans sign kicker Matthew Wright to practice squad". TitansWire. Retrieved January 1, 2025. "Matthew Wright 2024 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 8, 2025. Adamski, Chris (May 22, 2019). "Rookie Matthew Wright given shot to unseat Chris Boswell as Steelers kicker". TribLIVE.com. Retrieved October 17, 2021. Johnson, Scott (October 18, 2021). "🔒Last month he was an engineer. Now Matthew Wright is a Jaguars hero". WJXT. Retrieved February 1, 2023. External links NFL.com bio UCF Knights bio This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.