Harrison Butker just delivered back-to-back missed field goals against the New York Jets right before halftime, and the thunderous boos from the Chiefs faithful at Arrowhead Stadium? Yeah, they said everything.
The Double Miss Debacle
Picture this: seven seconds left before the half. The Chiefs move 19 yards on two plays, setting up a 56-yard field goal. Butker lines it up, sends it right, miss. Groans all around, but WAIT, a flag on the Jets gives him another shot! Okay, deep breath, 51 yards this time. Should be money, right? WRONG. He shanks it right AGAIN. Two misses in a row, same exact way. That was his seventh missed field goal of the season, a truly brutal sequence.
This Isn’t Just One Bad Game
Here’s the thing, this isn’t just one rough outing. Butker rolled into this game against the Jets with the lowest made-field-goal percentage among all qualified, active kickers out there. Seriously, only former Rams kicker Harrison Mevis had a worse rate. And when it comes to those big, long-range bombs, he is just not getting it done. He is now a shocking 2 for 8 on kicks of 50 or more yards this season. You feel that frustration in Arrowhead? That’s for a reason. Fans aren’t booing to be mean, they are booing because they’ve seen this movie too many times already.
Is a Change Coming to the Kicking Game?
After that whole mess, the team didn’t even trot Butker back out for another field goal attempt on Sunday. He did make all five of his point-after attempts, which, hey, good for him, but those field goals are the game-changers. By late in the game, CBS sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson didn’t mince words, she straight up said the team needs to seriously think about making a change and signing Justin Tucker for Week 10. You know special-teams coordinator Dave Toub had hoped Butker would be perfect against the Jets. So yeah, it feels like a “tough conversation” between the coaches and their long-time kicker is probably happening right now, or will be super soon.
What’s next for the Chiefs? With the season chugging along, you can bet all eyes are on that kicking position. Will Butker get another shot, or is the team ready to make a move? The clock is ticking, and the fans have spoken loud and clear.
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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