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The Kansas City Chiefs are sticking with Harrison Butker as their starting kicker despite the veteran suffering through his most difficult professional season to date.
Andy Reid Backs Kicker Amid Difficult Stretch
Coach Andy Reid confirmed to reporters on Wednesday that Butker will maintain his role as the team’s primary kicker. Reid pointed to the player’s strong historical performance with the franchise when explaining the decision to give him time to overcome his current slump.
“Harrison has done such a great job for us over time here,” Reid said, as reported by Bleacher Report – Front Page. “Sometimes you go through these little peaks-and-valleys things. I’ve got to give him a chance to work through them, and we’ll see how things go. We’ll just take it week by week.”
Recent Misses and Fan Reaction
Butker has converted 12 of his 19 field goal attempts during the 2026 season, with his seven misses already marking a new career high. During a 28-24 defeat against the Denver Broncos, he missed a 54-yard try in the fourth quarter. That miss ultimately forced the Chiefs to chase a touchdown instead of a field goal on their final drive while attempting to orchestrate a game-winning possession.
Although Kansas City bounced back with a 35-12 win against the New York Jets, home fans at Arrowhead Stadium expressed their frustration when Butker missed another field goal wide right as the first half ended. That miss came immediately after a previous missed attempt was wiped out by an offsides penalty.
Contingency Plan on Practice Squad
Following the victory over the Jets, Reid initially avoided making a firm commitment regarding his kicker moving forward into Week 10. The franchise currently has veteran Justin Tucker on its practice squad as a potential option.
Tucker, a seven-time Pro Bowler, has not appeared in an NFL game since the 2024 campaign, a year in which he also experienced a sharp decline in form by posting a personal-low 73.3 percent conversion rate. Given his own recent struggles, the 36-year-old may not represent a definitive upgrade for the team.
While persistent accuracy issues could eventually force the coaching staff to reconsider their stance, Butker is currently receiving every opportunity to correct his mechanics and regain his form.
