Harrison Butker missed nine kicks last season, including a career-low percentage on point-after attempts. The heat is absolutely on for him to bounce back in 2026. Arrowhead Pride even named him as one of the players with the most at stake for his NFL career this year. Butker is completely revamping his entire approach, desperate to prove he’s still the clutch kicker the Chiefs need.
The “Game Day” Grind Is Real
Think about a game: a kicker gets maybe one shot every 15-20 minutes. It’s not a free-for-all where you just bang out kicks back-to-back. Butker realized his old practice routine was missing that crucial, game-day pressure. He used to just blast a bunch of balls before the field goal period and then call it a day. Not anymore! He told local media, “In a game, what a kicker is asked to do is to execute one kick every 15-20 minutes.” So what’s he doing? He’s literally practicing that way now. He waits 15-20 minutes, then takes a kick that “matters.” He’s trying to gain confidence in those spaced-out, high-stakes moments. He’s trying to “take advantage of these longer practices, treat it like a game and do what I’m going to be asked to do in a game, which is just one kick every 20 minutes or so.” This isn’t just physical; it’s a huge mental shift to mimic the real deal.
Less Thinking, More Kicking (The Right Way)
It’s not just about the timing; Butker is also simplifying his mental game. He says his entire process now requires “less thinking,” which is huge for a position where mental toughness is key. Last year, he was apparently overthinking his “plant-foot knee,” having to focus on it way too much, especially during training camp. Now? That’s gone. He can “just focus on things that matter more, smooth swing thoughts, and… good ball contact.” And he’s even changing his kickoff strategy. Remember those “knuckle balls and the funny kickoffs” he used to try? He thinks those might have actually messed with his field goal rhythm! “I’m just going to hit a high hangtime ball, good rotation, just focus on the location,” he explained. No more low, line-drive knuckle balls. He believes having the “same foot-to-ball contact” for kickoffs and field goals, instead of “two different swings,” helped him finish strong last season.
The Chiefs are looking for a bounce-back year as a team, and Butker’s individual rebound is a massive piece of that puzzle. After a tough 2025, every single kick this season is going to be under the microscope. Will these radical routine tweaks pay off? Chiefs fans are going to find out real fast. You better believe all eyes are on that kicking unit as things kick off this early season.
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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