Chiefs will play this kicker vs. Chargers. Teammates welcomed him back with a joke
Matthew Wright said one of the best parts about coming back to kick for the Kansas City Chiefs last week was already knowing some guys from his previous stint in 2022.
That included injured kicker Harrison Butker, long snapper James Winchester and special teams coordinator Dave Toub.
And one of them, at least, welcomed Wright back with a bit of ribbing.
“Somebody made a joke about trying to break the (team) record again,” Wright said Wednesday in the Chiefs’ locker room with a smile. “I was like, ‘Once we get into December, a 63-yard field goal in that stadium is pretty tough.’”
OK yes, that dream might be lofty ... even if Wright already accomplished it once before.
During his two-game stretch with the Chiefs in 2022 (while filling in for the injured Butker), Wright drilled a 59-yard field goal, good enough then for the Chiefs’ all-time record.
The very next week, Butker returned and knocked through a 62-yarder, meaning Wright’s record stood for only six days.
“It was just funny. He should have it,” Wright said of the record. “It’s his.”
Wright still will have another opportunity to help the Chiefs win this week, filling in a second straight game for Butker. Chiefs coach Andy Reid announced Wednesday the team had placed kicker Spencer Shrader — he’d replaced Butker two earlier games in November — on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.
That clears the way for Wright to kick in Sunday’s home game against the Los Angeles Chargers — an important note for Chiefs fans and fantasy football players alike.
“If he just continues doing what he’s been doing ... he’s done a nice job for us,” Reid said of Wright on Wednesday.
Wright, who joined the Chiefs in the middle of last week, performed well on short notice. He made 4 of 5 field goals, which was critical in the KC’s 19-17 home victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.
“Just tried to get as ready for the game as possible,” Wright said. “It’s nice coming back when you know people in the building. Just helps with familiarity and just some confidence going into the game.”
Wright’s only miss was a long shot. He left a 59-yard attempt short just before halftime, though on Wednesday, he wished he’d given that one a better chance to go through.
“Anytime it starts getting colder out, the ball just doesn’t travel as well,” Wright said. “So you’ve just got to try to figure out ways to — especially on those longer kicks — try to get them there.”
In all likelihood, Wright won’t have an extended tenure with the Chiefs. Butker is eligible to come off the injured list with a knee injury next week, and though Reid didn’t give a specific timeline Wednesday, he did say Butker was “doing good” with his rehab.
“We’ll just see how it goes here in the next week or two,” Reid said. “But he is making good progress. That’s a plus.”
Wright, 28, also kicked one game for the San Francisco 49ers this season, going 3-for-3 on field goals and making all three extra-point attempts. In five pro seasons, Wright has played for five NFL teams, including two spells with the Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers.
For his part, Wright promised not to overthink things in whatever time he has left with the Chiefs.
“No matter what’s going on, I just try to be in my own little bubble — focus on what I do. So stick to my routine,” Wright said. “Try to make my kicks, and then just focus on the next kick.”
