Harrison Butker’s crucial field goal miss late in Sunday’s 28-24 loss to the Denver Broncos screams louder than any press conference: his job with the Kansas City Chiefs is hanging by a thread. This wasn’t just a bad kick, it was the latest gut punch in a season riddled with them, and the Chiefs have already brought in a veteran kicker, Justin Tucker, to their practice squad just days before this Sunday stunner.
The Kick That Cost Everything (Again)
Butker himself owned up to the miss after the game, admitting it was “not good enough.” He even said the weather wasn’t a factor, which, honestly, just makes it worse. You can almost hear the sigh of relief from Denver, because that loss pushed them into 1st place in the AFC West. Can you imagine the pressure Butker must be feeling? He tried to brush off the threat of Tucker, saying he focuses on “one kick at a time,” but man, that 54-yarder he shanked? That’s the one everyone’s talking about. He had the extra points, sure, but that field goal was a killer.
Six Missed FGs and the Grim Reality
Look, the numbers don’t lie. Butker, who has been the Chiefs’ kicker since 2017, has already missed *six* field goals and one extra point this year. Let that sink in for a second. Last year, he missed a grand total of five field goals for the *entire season*. We’re not even halfway through, and he’s already surpassed that. This isn’t just a slump; it’s a full-blown crisis for the Chiefs’ special teams. The front office made their move signing Tucker to the practice squad *amid* these struggles, and Butker’s latest miss just poured gasoline on the fire.
So, what happens next? Whether this latest miss is the final straw for the Chiefs to pull the trigger on a different kicker is still up in the air. Butker’s tenure feels like it’s on borrowed time, and with Justin Tucker waiting in the wings, Kansas City’s kicker situation is officially the hottest seat in the NFL. Get ready for some major news, because a decision has to be coming soon.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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