Matthew Wright signs a Reserve/Future contract with the Detroit Lions

At the end of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2020 season, they elected to let a group of players’ practice squad contracts expire. Many fans were perplexed by the decision, but it was essentially the Steelers giving these players a chance to start fresh somewhere new. Somewhere they could lock up a role for themselves, and not just sitting on the practice squad wondering if an injury would give them a shot.

Among those names were players like Devlin Hodges, Deon Cain and placekicker Matthew Wright. The day after Cain signed a Reserve/Future contract with the Baltimore Ravens, Wright has found a new home with the Detroit Lions.

Per Aaron Wilson Wright signed a Reserve/Future contract of his own with the Lions.

During the 2020 season, with Chris Boswell nursing multiple lower body injuries, Wright filled in and did so as well as can be expected. During his time in the lineup Wright never missed a field goal or extra point.

The biggest knock on Wright his is leg strength. The longest field goal he attempted, and made, was a 46-yard kick. He made two such kicks during his time with the Steelers, and it made Mike Tomlin’s decision to not even attempt a field goal at that distance in the team’s first loss vs. the Washington Football Team at Heinz Field.

After proving he can make those mid-to-long field goals, it was only a matter of time until Wright got a shot with another franchise, and it was the Lions who came calling. If Wright doesn’t make the roster in 2021, the Steelers would be wise to put in a call in case Boswell gets banged up for the second straight season.

Be sure to stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes surrounding the black and gold as they prepare for the new league year, NFL Free Agency and the 2021 NFL Draft.