Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has defended his choice to trust struggling kicker Harrison Butker on a crucial late-game field goal attempt, despite a costly miss in a loss to the Denver Broncos. The blunder dropped the team's prospects as pressure mounts regarding the team's special teams unit.
The Crucial Miss Against Denver
The pivotal moment occurred when the Kansas City Chiefs held a narrow three-point advantage over their division rival, the Denver Broncos. Driving down to the Denver 30-yard line, the team faced a third-and-2 situation. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes dropped back to pass but was sacked for a six-yard loss.
That sack pushed what would have been a manageable 48-yard field goal attempt back to a 54-yarder. Harrison Butker subsequently missed the kick wide to the right. Instead of extending the lead to six points, the miss handed possession to Denver, which capitalized with a game-winning touchdown drive.
Andy Reid Stands by the Kicker
Speaking after the game, Andy Reid addressed questions regarding whether the team should have attempted the long kick or gone for another option.
"Those are hindsight. It ended up being what it was," Andy Reid stated, according to FOX 4 Kansas City. "But it's within Harrison's range."
Despite the head coach's defense, statistics show that deep kicks have become a significant challenge for the veteran kicker.
Growing Concerns Over Field Goal Statistics
Questions about Harrison Butker job security have intensified following a rough stretch of games. Through 2023, he successfully converted 89.1% of total field goals, including 70% (28 of 40) from beyond 50 yards.
However, his production has declined since then:
- Overall conversion rate has dropped to 82.2%.
- Performance from beyond 50 yards has fallen to just 44.4% (8-of-18).
- During the current season, he has gone 1-of-5 on kicks from 50 yards or further.
- Prior to the Denver matchup, he missed a pair of field goal attempts during a loss to the Seattle Seahawks, which included one kick falling short and another pushed wide right from 45 yards out.
Roster Pressure and Justin Tucker
The ongoing kicking struggles have fueled speculation about future roster moves. Earlier in the week, the Kansas City Chiefs signed former Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker to their practice squad. Justin Tucker had been out of the league since 2024 following accusations of sexual misconduct by multiple women, as reported by The Baltimore Banner.
With reliability in big moments waning, the franchise faces tough decisions regarding whether to stick with Harrison Butker or pivot toward Justin Tucker or another alternative.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Chiefs attempt a 54-yard field goal?
After a six-yard sack of Patrick Mahomes on third-and-2 at the Denver 30-yard line, the team faced a longer fourth-down distance, prompting Andy Reid to send out Harrison Butker for the deep attempt.
What did Andy Reid say about Harrison Butker?
Andy Reid defended the call after the game, stating that the long attempt was within the kicker's range and dismissing the criticism as hindsight.
Who did the Chiefs sign to their practice squad?
The Kansas City Chiefs signed former Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker to their practice squad earlier in the week amidst ongoing kicking woes.