Aug 9, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker (7) against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Kansas City Chiefs are grappling with a significant decision regarding kicker Harrison Butker, whose performance has sharply declined this season. Over his eight-year career, Butker has maintained a commendable field goal percentage of 88.0%, ranking third among active kickers, according to Pro Football Reference. However, his recent struggles have cast doubt on his role with the team.
This season, Butker has already missed five kicks in just five games, including three field goals and two point-after-touchdowns (PATs). In an injury-shortened 2024 season, he missed six total kicks, including four field goals. Each game this season has been marred by at least one error from Butker, raising concerns among fans and analysts alike. Notably, a kickoff out of bounds in a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars led to significant criticism online, with many supporters calling for his release.
Despite the growing pressure, the Chiefs’ coaching staff appears to support Butker. Dave Toub, the team’s special teams coach, acknowledged the challenges faced by the kicker but remains committed to helping him improve. “We’re going to keep working…obviously, we don’t like misses,” Toub stated, emphasizing the need for consistency.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid echoed this sentiment, drawing a parallel to golf. “Like any golfer, sometimes you’re hitting it good, and other times it’s off, but you work through it,” Reid explained. He expressed confidence in Butker’s abilities, describing him as “mentally tough” and not overly concerned about his current performance.
To his credit, Butker has yet to miss a kick that has directly cost the Chiefs a game. As the team looks ahead, with 12 regular-season games remaining, he will have numerous opportunities to regain his form and dispel doubts about his kicking capability. For now, the Chiefs and their supporters must remain patient as Butker seeks to navigate this challenging phase of his career.
The coming weeks will be critical for Butker. With the team’s faith in him and a chance for redemption, the spotlight will remain firmly on the kicker as he strives to return to his previous level of excellence.
