The Kansas City Chiefs dropped a preseason Week 2 battle to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 16-15 on Saturday night, but man, did kicker Harrison Butker try to rewrite the record books trying to win it. He absolutely uncorked a 69-yard field goal in the game, a kick that shattered the regular-season NFL record of 68 yards. You’d think that’d be the talk of the town, right? Well, it is, but for some brutally conflicting reasons.
Butker’s Rollercoaster Night Leaves More Questions Than Answers
Coming into this game, Butker was riding a wave of preseason hype. After a totally lackluster 2025 season where he missed four extra points, he’d been perfect in the first exhibition game, even nailing a 59-yarder. He carried that momentum into Tampa, knocking down three more field goals, including a 58-yarder and that jaw-dropping 69-yard monster. He had made his first seven field-goal attempts of this preseason, looking completely “back” and ready to bounce back from last year’s struggles.
But then, the celebration screeched to a halt. In the second half, Butker missed the only point-after attempt he’d kicked all preseason. Ouch. And if that wasn’t enough to make you sweat, with just over three minutes left, he shanked a 43-yard field goal attempt that would have put the Chiefs in the lead. What are we even supposed to make of that? A historic kick, followed by an extra point miss and a game-losing field goal miss. It’s a performance that simultaneously shows elite potential and the very inconsistency that plagued him last year.
Young Pass Rushers Flash Talent, But Roles Remain Up In The Air
While Butker had everyone on the edge of their seats for all the wrong reasons, some young defensive ends were out there making noise. Fourth-year defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah, or FAU as fans know him, delivered a much-needed highlight early in the game, blowing up a second-down play with a sack that probably had Kansas State alums screaming at their TVs. He even finished the contest with another quarterback hit. It’s clear his strengths are best used on pass downs, but despite ample opportunities in training camp and preseason, he’s still struggling to carve out a significant role in the starting defense.
Part of that struggle might be the “strong ascension” of rookie edge rusher R Mason Thomas. This kid is fast, like “Kansas City hasn’t seen in years” fast. On a third and long, he just flew off the ball with his head up, almost snagging an interception on a quick screen to the right side, twenty yards away from a score. It was a nearly lateral pass, and watching him finish that negated scoop and score showed serious instincts. Thomas also got a quarterback hit in this game. His rare speed and fluidity around the arc are turning heads, and it makes you wonder just how big of a role this rookie is going to carve out this season.
What’s next for these Chiefs? Butker’s gotta prove he can string together consistent performances. And for FAU and Thomas, every snap is a chance to define their roles in this defense. You gotta watch how these young guys develop, because early season flashes can turn into season-defining performances.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Arrowhead Pride.
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