Harrison Butker missed three extra points in just his first six games last season, and trust me, that kind of easy money left on the field is still haunting the Kansas City Chiefs faithful. It’s early in the 2026 campaign, and you know these “small things” can snowball into absolute headaches. When a kicker who’s been “automatic” for years starts shanking what should be gimmes, you gotta wonder what’s going on.
When “Automatic” Becomes Anything But
Butker’s struggles go beyond just missed extra points. We all remember that kickoff out of bounds in the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars, with the game tight, giving their opponent prime field position. Then there was the short kick, not even reaching the landing zone, in a one-score game versus the Denver Broncos. These aren’t just flukes; they’re critical errors that directly impact the scoreboard and field position. This dude has always been clutch in January, hitting 90 percent of his career postseason field goals, including an astonishing 6 of 7 from 50+ yards! He makes the big ones, but right now, it feels like the easy ones are turning into a nightmare. That Tampa Bay Buccaneers game, with a missed extra point and then a missed potential game-winning field goal? Yeah, that’s stuck in everyone’s head. This is absolutely something to keep an eye on as the season gets rolling.
Turnovers: The Hidden Killer
And while Butker’s woes are glaring, let’s talk about something even more baffling: how did the 2025 Chiefs end up with a negative turnover differential with Patrick Mahomes at quarterback? Seriously, how?! Through Week 15 last year, with a healthy Mahomes running the show, the Chiefs were actually minus-2 in turnover differential. It wasn’t because the offense was constantly giving the ball away; they were actually tied for seventh in the entire NFL for fewest offensive turnovers, only giving it up 13 times. The real kicker? The defense could only force 11 turnovers over that same stretch. Think about that for a second: only the New York Jets, Washington Commanders, and New York Giants forced fewer turnovers on defense. That’s not good company for a contender, is it? These weren’t just random fumbles and picks either; the Chiefs offense somehow found a way to commit the most absolutely back-breaking turnovers possible.
These aren’t just stats; they’re cracks in the armor for a team with high expectations. How the Chiefs address Butker’s consistency and their defense’s ability to create turnovers in these early games could define the whole vibe for the season. You know every play in every game matters, and getting these core issues locked down is absolutely crucial moving forward.
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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