‘Brutal business’ – Chiefs turn back to Super Bowl hero but decision to release game-winner shows Kansas Ci...

A week is a long time in the NFL, especially if you're Kansas City Chiefs kicker Matthew Wright.

He was the hero last Sunday, starring in a tight 19-17 victory against the Los Angeles Chargers.

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The veteran, 28, connected on all four of his field goal attempts, including a 31-yard, game-winning kick as time expired to ensure the Chiefs secured the AFC West title and moved to 12-1.

He became the third kicker to make a game-winning field goal as time expired for Kansas City this season, joining Harrison Butker in Week 2 and Spencer Shrader in Week 12.

Wright's performance even saw him named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week on Wednesday.

But just days later, he was off the team.

The Chiefs released Wright on Saturday, with Butker - who is coming off injury reserve - expected to play the Week 15 game against the Cleveland Browns.

Butker has been sidelined for the last month after undergoing knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus, and has missed four games.

In his place, the Chiefs turned to Shrader and Wright, who combined to hit 11 of 12 field goals and eight extra-point attempts in Butker's absence.

Kansas City's decision to release Wright six days after his game-winning heroics show just how ruthless the NFL can be, especially when a team is chasing a historic three-peat.

News of the decision was shared on social media website X by ESPN insider Adam Schefter, and drew a fair amount of sympathy from fans.

"If the Chiefs win the SB, Matthew Wright will get a ring right?" one questioned.

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"He’ll find a new job. Plenty of teams out there need a good kicker," another said.

"Be so good they can't ignore you… or cut you on Saturday. Brutal business," a third wrote.

"From Player of the Week to released in days - life moves fast in the NFL," a fourth concluded.

With the Chiefs chasing another ring, they have turned back to their reliable kicker, who starred in Super Bowl 58 earlier this year.

Butker broke two records in that game, making the longest field goal in Super Bowl history from 57 yards, as well as making most career field goals in the Super Bowl (nine).

He tied the game with three seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, before Kansas City went on to win in overtime against the San Francisco 49ers.

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When healthy, Butker is one of the best kickers in the NFL - and unfortunately for Wright - the pair happened to be on the same roster.

But after making headlines with his game-winning kick last week, Wright probably won't be without a team for too long.

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