Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid confirmed that kicker Harrison Butker will retain his role for Sunday's road game against the Denver Broncos, despite a string of missed field goals that have plagued the first seven weeks of the season.
Butker, who is 11-for-16 on field goal attempts this season with a 68.8% conversion rate, missed two kicks in last week's 20-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The struggles prompted the Chiefs to bring in three candidates for workouts, ultimately signing free agent Justin Tucker to the practice squad.
Special teams coordinator Dave Toub emphasized that Butker remains the team's kicker. "Butker is our kicker," Toub said. "We're trying to improve Butker. We're trying to get Butker right. That's what this whole thing is about."
Toub noted that Butker went 10-for-10 on field goal attempts during Wednesday's practice despite 28-mph wind gusts. The addition of Tucker, an eight-time All-Pro, is intended not only as a backup option but also as a mentor to help Butker rediscover his accuracy. Tucker missed the entire 2025 season while serving a 10-game suspension following an investigation into alleged inappropriate behaviors during massage sessions, becoming eligible to sign ahead of the 2026 season.
During a 30-kick tryout that included 10 extra points, seven field goals of over 50 yards, and one 60-yard attempt, Tucker went 30-for-30 with 60% of his conversions landing inside a six-foot cylinder in the middle of the uprights. "Somebody that's struggling is not able to put the ball with that kind of accuracy at 30 kicks," Toub said. "He was off-the-charts good. That's the reason why we signed him to the practice squad."
With Tucker apparently back in top form, he could become a viable game-day option if Butker's struggles persist.
