Steelers Transactions

Steelers Hand Out Kenny Pickett’s No. 8, Matthew Wright to Wear It

The Pittsburgh Steelers have handed out No. 8, the number formerly belonging to Kenny Pickett, to kicker Matthew Wright.

Published

2 weeks ago

April 16, 2024

Nick Farabaugh

A little over a month ago, Kenny Pickett was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. He ended up wearing No. 7 for the team that he grew up watching. And now, the Steelers are giveing up away his No. 8, as backup kicker Matthew Wright will wear the number, according to NFL Jersey Numbers.

Pittsburgh Steelers K Matthew Wright (@Mattyice717) is wearing number 8. Last worn by Kenny Pickett. #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/w68uGocBFn

— NFL Jersey Numbers (@nfl_jersey_num) April 16, 2024

In previous stints with the team, Wright had worn No. 16 and No. 4.

Pickett wore No. 2 in high school, so the number deviation is not that surprising, though he had worn No. 8 for the past seven seasons of his football career. That is officially another sign of him turning over a new page, which he alluded to in his introductory press conference with Philadelphia.

The Steelers signed Wright last week. Wright has landed in multiple different spots, including with the New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers last season.

Wright has kicked in the league many places before, including in Pittsburgh a year ago, which aided him to get opportunities across the league. This is the third time that he has landed with the Steelers, but Wright has yet to land a full-time gig. He has been with multiple teams multiple times.

Last season, Wright was cut by three different teams, including the Panthers, Patriots, 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. But he still has yet to full latch on in one place.

Wright originally signed with Pittsburgh as an undrafted free agent in 2019 before spending time with the XFL’s Tampa Bay Vipers. He came back to the Steel City in 2020, connecting on each of his four field goal attempts and seven extra point kicks.