Most NFL teams are finished with OTAs and mandatory minicamp as they prepare for training camp next month. Minicamp is the final piece of the offseason puzzle as it allows players and coaches to work together before the competition heats up in training camp and preseason.
For some players, minicamp is just another step in refining their skills for the regular season. Meanwhile, for other players, a strong minicamp can help them make their case to win a job on the 53-man roster, or lose it if they don’t perform at a high level.
Former San Francisco 49ers kicker Matthew Wright falls into the latter category as he’s in the middle of an interesting position battle with the Carolina Panthers.
According to Joe Person of The Athletic, undrafted free agent kicker Ryan Fitzgerald “appears to have the edge” over Wright. Person adds that Fitzgerald was 9-for-10 on field goals in two practices with media present, while Wright was 3-for-5.
"Canales said it’s too soon to name a leader in the kicking competition. But Fitzgerald, an undrafted free agent from Florida State, appears to have the edge on veteran Matthew Wright, based on how each looked during the practices open to the media. After a tough first week in rainy and windy conditions, Fitzgerald was 9-for-10 on field goals on the skinny goal posts over the next two practices with reporters present.Joe Person
Meanwhile, Wright went 3-for-5 last Wednesday, missing on both of his longer attempts. Wright’s last try — from about 52 yards — was both wide right and a bit short.
Too early to tell, Canales said of the kicking battle. Let’s get a real rush out there. Let’s have them kicking in games, and we’ll be able to make the decision. There’s no reason not to let this play out through the first couple of preseason games. But the early returns favor Fitzgerald."
If you are Wright, this isn’t a good sign heading into training camp, especially considering you have more experience. That said, the ex-49ers kicker can quickly make up ground in training camp and preseason when the real action begins.
The 29-year-old Wright signed a futures/reserve contract with the Panthers in February after the 2024 season with the Kansas City Chiefs, Tennessee Titans, and the 49ers. Wright joined San Francisco on Oct. 8, 2024, after the Pittsburgh Steelers waived him in August.
The journeyman kicker was making his second stint with the 49ers, with his first coming in September 2023. Wright only spent five days on the practice squad before being cut.
This time was slightly different for Wright, who kicked in the 49ers’ Week 6 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. He went a perfect 3-for-3 on field goals and extra points as San Francisco won 36-24. However, the 49ers placed Wright on injured reserve eight days later and waived him on November 15, 2024.
After that, Wright appeared in two games with the Chiefs and two with the Titans. Even though he didn’t stick with those teams for the rest of the season, Carolina thought that he was worth adding to the 90-man roster this offseason.
Now, the ex-49er has a chance to solidify his spot in the league as one of 32 starting kickers in the NFL. We’ll see if he can rise to the occasion and beat out a UDFA this summer.