Patriots Sign Ex-Steelers Kicker

The New England Patriots will sign former Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Matthew Wright to help shore up the struggling kicking game with rookie Chad Rylan not cutting it. Wright will sign to the team’s practice squad, according to Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald.

The Patriots set out to get their kicker position solved this offseason, even though Nick Folk was solid a year ago. They spent a fourth-round pick on Ryland out of Maryland, but this season, he is just 12 of 18 on field goals. Wright has kicked in the league many places before, including in Pittsburgh a year ago, which could aid him in the next few weeks as the team tries to solve its woes at the spot.

So the Patriots are taking out an insurance policy in the name of Wright, who was cut by the Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers at various points this season. Wright served as a backup for both the Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs last year, making 83.3% of his kicks with a long of 59 yards and going 15 for 15 on extra points. To his credit, Wright has been solid in the limited stints that teams have given him.

Wright will come with the additional bonus of extensive familiarity with kicking at Acrisure Stadium over his three stints with the Steelers, dating back to 2019.

The Patriots and Steelers will meet on Thursday Night Football, and the Patriots are a team in flux looking to figure out not only the kicker situation, but their quarterback situation, too.