Career Timeline of Matthew Wright (American football): Major Achievements and Milestones

How Matthew Wright (American football) built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Matthew Wright is an American professional football placekicker. He played college football at the University of Central Florida (UCF), where he contributed to the team's undefeated 2017 season, which earned them a national championship title selected by Colley Matrix.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2015: Freshman Season Performance

In 2015, as a redshirt freshman, Matthew Wright made 13 of 17 field goal attempts with a long of 48 yards and recorded one tackle.

2016: Achieved 50-Yard Field Goal and All-Academic Team

In 2016, as a redshirt sophomore, Matthew Wright became one of 11 Knights to make a 50-yard field goal attempt. He was named to the 2016-17 American All-Academic Team after making 17 of 22 field goal attempts.

2017: National Champion with UCF Knights

In 2017, Matthew Wright was a member of the undefeated UCF Knights team that was selected as national champions by the Colley Matrix.

2017: Lou Groza Award Watch List, American Special Teams Player of the Week, and Single-Season Record

In 2017, Matthew Wright was named to the Lou Groza Award preseason watch list. Following his performance against Memphis, he was named the American Special Teams Player of the Week. He set the UCF single-game extra points record (10). Matthew Wright also 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) in 2017. Wright earned Second-team All-AAC honors.

January 1, 2018: Peach Bowl Appearance

On January 1, 2018, Matthew Wright made two field goals against Auburn in the Peach Bowl. The Knights finished their season 13-0 and the school announced they would claim a National Championship.

December 2018: Graduation from UCF and Job Offer from Lockheed Martin

Following his graduation from UCF in December 2018, Lockheed Martin offered Matthew Wright a full-time job with the company, which he accepted.

2018: AAC Special Teams Player of the Week and Second-Team Honors

In 2018, Matthew Wright was named the AAC Special Teams Player of the Week after the Knights' games against Memphis and East Carolina University. He finished the season with a 58.3-yard kickoff average and earned AAC Second-team honors for his kicking efforts.

March 2019: Signed with GatNation, LLC

In March 2019, Matthew Wright signed with GatNation, LLC who represented him as sports agents.

August 31, 2019: Waived by Steelers

On August 31, 2019, Matthew Wright was waived by the Pittsburgh Steelers during final roster cuts.

October 16, 2019: Selected by Tampa Bay Vipers in XFL Draft

On October 16, 2019, Matthew Wright was selected by the Tampa Bay Vipers of the XFL in Phase 5 of the 2020 XFL draft.

2019: Signed with Pittsburgh Steelers

In 2019, Matthew Wright signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent.

January 22, 2020: Released by Tampa Bay Vipers

On January 22, 2020, Matthew Wright was released by the Tampa Bay Vipers during training camp.

September 13, 2020: Jaguars' First Win Since September 13, 2020

On October 17, 2021, Matthew Wright went 3-for-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.

November 30, 2020: Re-signed to Steelers Practice Squad

On November 30, 2020, Matthew Wright was re-signed by the Steelers to their practice squad.

2020: Signed with Tampa Bay Vipers and Re-signed with Steelers

In 2020, Matthew Wright signed with the Tampa Bay Vipers of the XFL before being released and re-signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

January 2, 2021: Elevated to Active Roster for Game against Cleveland Browns

On January 2, 2021, Matthew Wright was elevated to the Steelers' active roster for their Week 17 game against the Cleveland Browns, and reverted to the practice squad after the game.

January 18, 2021: Practice Squad Contract Expired

On January 18, 2021, Matthew Wright's practice squad contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers expired.

January 22, 2021: Signed with Detroit Lions

On January 22, 2021, the Detroit Lions signed Matthew Wright to a reserve/futures contract.

September 2021: Departure from Lockheed Martin

Matthew Wright worked at Lockheed Martin until September 2021, after accepting a full-time job with the company following his graduation from UCF in December 2018.

September 27, 2021: Signed to Jaguars' Practice Squad

On September 27, 2021, Matthew Wright was signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars' practice squad.

May 11, 2022: Waived by Jaguars

On May 11, 2022, Matthew Wright was waived by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

September 27, 2022: Signed to Chiefs' Practice Squad

On September 27, 2022, Matthew Wright was signed to the Kansas City Chiefs' practice squad.

November 9, 2022: Signed by Steelers off Chiefs Practice Squad

On November 9, 2022, Matthew Wright was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers off the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad.

January 6, 2023: Signed to Chiefs Practice Squad

On January 6, 2023, Matthew Wright was signed to the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad and elevated to the active roster.

July 2023: Ended contract with GatNation, LLC

Matthew Wright ended his contract with GatNation, LLC in July 2023.

August 8, 2023: Signed with Carolina Panthers

On August 8, 2023, Matthew Wright signed with the Carolina Panthers.

September 4, 2023: Signed to 49ers Practice Squad

On September 4, 2023, Matthew Wright was signed to the San Francisco 49ers practice squad.

November 23, 2023: Signed to Falcons Practice Squad

On November 23, 2023, Matthew Wright was signed to the Atlanta Falcons practice squad.

November 30, 2023: Signed to Patriots Practice Squad

On November 30, 2023, Matthew Wright was signed to the New England Patriots practice squad.

January 2, 2024: Signed to Panthers Practice Squad

On January 2, 2024, Matthew Wright was signed to the Carolina Panthers practice squad and elevated to the active roster for Week 18.

April 10, 2024: Signed with Steelers

On April 10, 2024, Matthew Wright signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

October 8, 2024: Signed with 49ers

On October 8, 2024, Matthew Wright signed with the San Francisco 49ers following an injury to Jake Moody.

November 26, 2024: Signed to Chiefs' Practice Squad

On November 26, 2024, Matthew Wright was signed to the Kansas City Chiefs' practice squad following an injury to Spencer Shrader.

December 26, 2024: Signed to Titans Practice Squad

On December 26, 2024, Matthew Wright was signed to the Tennessee Titans practice squad following an injury to Nick Folk.

January 1, 2025: Added back to Titans' practice squad

On January 1, 2025, Matthew Wright was added back to the Tennessee Titans' practice squad.

February 11, 2025: Signed Reserve/Futures Contract with Panthers

On February 11, 2025, Matthew Wright signed a reserve/futures contract with the Carolina Panthers.

October 8, 2025: Signed with Titans' practice squad

On October 8, 2025, Matthew Wright signed with the Tennessee Titans' practice squad.

October 27, 2025: Signed to Commanders Practice Squad

On October 27, 2025, Matthew Wright was signed to the Washington Commanders practice squad and elevated to the active roster the same day due to an injury to Matt Gay.