Former Chief Signs With New Team in Week 17

The Kansas City Chiefs got their Week 17 game out of the way, as they defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers, 29-10 on Christmas Day against the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

However, some of Kansas City’s former players have been in the headlines on Thursday, finding new opportunities with two weeks left in the regular season. 

Former Chiefs quarterback Ian Book was signed to the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad after spending training camp and preseason in Kansas City. And now former Chiefs kicker Matthew Wright is signing to the Tennessee Titans practice squad.

Kansas City fans fondly remember Wright, who stepped in for an injured Spencer Shrader, who was replacing an injured Harrison Butker. The 28-year-old Wright was signed to the Chiefs’ taxi squad late last season after being waived by the San Francisco 49ers.

Wright played well in his Kansas City debut, making 4-of-5 field goals in a close Week 13 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. The next week, Wright helped the Chiefs win their ninth-straight AFC West title as he clanged a game-winning 31-yard field goal off the left upright.

The 28-year-old kicker went a perfect 4-for-4 in Week 14 against the Chargers, ending his short Chiefs’ tenure, going a fantastic 11-of-12 from field goal range. Kansas City released Wright two weeks ago with Butker returning from injured reserve.

Wright could make his Titans’ debut on Sunday as starter Nick Folk is dealing with an abdomen injury. The 40-year-old kicker reportedly did not practice on Thursday. Folk is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after this season, making this a perfect opportunity for Wright.

If the former Chief can make a few field goals on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he could land himself a potential starting gig for the 2025 season. Wright has shown this season that he's a starting-caliber NFL kicker.

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