Harrison Butker is “probably” still handling the kicking duties for the Chiefs this week, but if you think that means everything’s fine, you’ve got another thing coming: the team just signed veteran kicker Justin Tucker to their practice squad on Wednesday, and it’s a move that screams “pressure cooker.”
Butker’s Woes and Reid’s Ultimatum
Look, Butker’s been straight up struggling out there. He’s already missed *five* field goals this season, with four of those misses coming in the last two weeks alone. That’s not just a rough patch, that’s a full-blown crisis for a team with Super Bowl aspirations. Head coach Andy Reid isn’t mincing words either. He told everyone that Butker “probably” stays in for the Broncos game this week, but followed it up with a clear warning shot. “He understands the business and how it works,” Reid said. “We had a practice squad position open. For security, we brought him in and put him in that spot that we had open. Butker gets it. He knows that’s part of the business. He’s struggled a little bit. He gets it, he needs to pick it up a little bit.” You read that right: “needs to pick it up.” That’s coach-speak for “your job is on the line, buddy.”
The Wildcard Backup: Justin Tucker
So, who is this “security” option? It’s Justin Tucker, a kicker with some serious baggage. He got released by the Ravens back in May 2025 after multiple massage therapists accused him of sexual misconduct. The league then slammed him with a 10-game suspension under the Personal Conduct Policy while he was a free agent. Yeah, that’s not exactly a clean resume. Reid said the team has tried to “do our homework” on Tucker’s past, and apparently, Tucker “did really well” in a Tuesday workout that landed him on the practice squad. It’s a bold move, bringing in a guy with that history, but it shows just how desperate the Chiefs are to fix their kicking situation if Butker can’t turn it around.
The Chiefs are squaring off against the Broncos this week, and all eyes will be on Butker. Does he respond to the pressure, or do his struggles continue? And if they do, how long until Tucker, baggage and all, gets his shot? This isn’t just about a few points; it’s about the team’s confidence in their special teams, and it’s a situation that could get really interesting, really fast.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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