Here today and gone tomorrow. That is the story for Matthew Wright who emerged as the impromptu hero for the Kansas City Chiefs in their 19-17 December 8, 2024 win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Chenal No. 5(4) 🔥
Congrats to @lchenal54 on being named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week! pic.twitter.com/BJghxnPKgH
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) November 13, 2024
Wright was responsible for 13 of the Chiefs points with four field goals and one extra point including the doink that went in and became the game-winner. His work earned him AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors, but now he is out of a job.
The doink for the division! 🙌#Chiefs K Matthew Wright kicks the game-winning 31-yd field goal on Sunday Night Football. pic.twitter.com/4qLp8KFWdI
— Kicker Update (@kickerupdate) December 9, 2024
The Chiefs released Wright with their starting kicker Harrison Butker set to come off injured reserve for their Sunday, December 15 game against the Cleveland Browns.
Fans reacted to the news of Wright’s release.
What Fans Said About Matthew Wright’s Release
Chiefs fans expressed gratitude for Wright’s performance.
Thank you, Matthew Wright https://t.co/7JdK9cbW0m pic.twitter.com/aBSAplPjEv
— Brit Chief 🇬🇧 (@BritChiefUK) December 14, 2024
Manny Garcia said, “bro single-handedly kept them in the one seed.”
Molly C wished Wright good luck. She said, “May Wright continue to grow in his professional career as an amazing kicker! He held the Kingdom up in Butkers absence!”
Shirley Kelly said, “Sorry to see Wright go, but he’ll always have the doink that won you the AFC.”
Some fans worry that Wright will be signed by a Chiefs’ competitor and return the favor against the Chiefs.
Penthouse Mar said, “Hopefully none of our enemies sign him and he kicks a winning field goal in the AFC championship game.”
What’s Next For Matthew Wright
The UCF kicker went undrafted in 2019, but he has made his rounds to NFL teams. Matthew Wright, 28, was with the Chiefs when they beat the Eagles in Super Bowl LVII.
He has also kicked for the Steelers, Jaguars, Panthers, and 49ers and has been on the practice squad for other NFL teams.
