The National Football League is a cruel business, and as such, most players know there is no such thing as job security.
That’s particularly true for kickers and special teams players.
That’s why it wasn’t much of a surprise to see the Kansas City Chiefs make a roster move recently.
“Chiefs are releasing kicker Matthew Wright today, per source. Harrison Butker now is expected to kick Sunday vs. the [Cleveland] Browns,” ESPN insider Adam Schefter wrote on X.
Chiefs are releasing kicker Matthew Wright today, per source. Harrison Butker now is expected to kick Sunday vs. the Browns.
Life in the NFL: Wright was the NFL Special Teams Player of the Week on Wednesday, then released Saturday. pic.twitter.com/L2X7Mtt5fc
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 14, 2024
Ironically, Wright was recently named Special Teams Player of the Week, and now he’s unemployed.
Wright kicked a game-winning field goal in the Week 14 victory against the Los Angeles Chargers.
However, Butker is an established veteran, and though he’s become a controversial figure off the field, the Chiefs have always chosen to side with him, so he was expected to reclaim his spot as a starter once he got back to full strength.
Butker has been out since undergoing knee surgery in November to repair a torn meniscus.
This is the second time he has missed an extended period of time because of an injury after spraining his ankle back in 2022.
In Week 15, the Chiefs hit the road to face the Browns.
Cleveland’s stout defense will pose a major threat, and with Kansas City’s struggles on offense, Butker might be in for a big workload.
The Chiefs aren’t blowing out their opposition by any means, so the kicking game likely will have a significant role in their pursuit of a third consecutive Super Bowl title.
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