Chiefs Stand by Struggling Kicker Harrison Butker Despite Seven Misses as Justin Tucker Waits in Wings

Andy Reid keeps faith in three-time Super Bowl champion despite league-leading kicking drought

Despite mounting fan unease and a league-leading seven missed field goals through the first half of the regular season, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid confirmed on Wednesday that veteran kicker Harrison Butker will remain the team's starter when they host the Atlanta Falcons in Week 10.

Reid's public endorsement puts an end—for now—to rampant speculation that Kansas City was preparing to elevate former Baltimore Ravens legend Justin Tucker, who was signed to the Chiefs' practice squad in late October as high-profile insurance after serving an extended league hiatus.

"Harrison is our kicker," Reid stated plainly during his Wednesday press briefing at the team's training facility. "He's won a lot of big football games for us, and he's kicked in the biggest moments this franchise has ever seen. Kickers go through stretches where their mechanics get just a fraction off. He's working hard with Dave Toub to clean that up, and we have full trust in him."

The decision comes on the heels of a nerve-wracking stretch that saw Butker convert just 12 of 19 attempts (63.2%)—by far the lowest conversion rate of his decorated eight-year NFL tenure.

Rare Arrowhead boos follow consecutive misses against New York Jets

The scrutiny surrounding Butker reached a boiling point during the Chiefs' recent home clash against the New York Jets at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. With the offense stalling in the red zone, Butker pushed a 56-yard attempt wide right. Granted a second opportunity from 51 yards due to a defensive offsides penalty, Butker hooked the subsequent kick wide left, drawing uncharacteristic boos from the frustrated home crowd.

Special teams coordinator Dave Toub noted that Butker's struggles trace back to mechanical compensations made following a mid-season plant-leg knee tweak that sidelined him for three weeks earlier this fall. While medically cleared, Butker's foot-strike angle and follow-through timing have exhibited subtle inconsistencies that have proven costly from beyond 45 yards.

"When you've kicked at an 89% clip your whole life, missing kicks eats at you," Toub remarked. "Harrison is his own toughest critic. But you don't panic and toss away a proven postseason assassin because of a three-week slump."

Justin Tucker's presence on practice squad maintains subtle sideline pressure

While Reid reaffirmed Butker's starting status, the looming presence of Justin Tucker on the Kansas City practice squad ensures the 29-year-old kicker has virtually zero margin for error moving forward. Tucker, the most accurate field goal kicker in NFL history and a seven-time All-Pro, joined Kansas City's scout team to rebuild his conditioning after sitting out the 2024 and 2025 campaigns.

Chiefs insiders report that Tucker has looked sharp during weekday workouts, routinely drilling kicks from 60-plus yards into the wind during simulated two-minute drills. Reid acknowledged Tucker's progress while emphasizing that activating him would require a formal roster maneuver.

"Justin looks great in practice, which is why he's here," Reid added. "He provides elite competition and elite depth. But Harrison earned this spot over eight years of excellence. He's going to kick on Sunday."

Timeline

September 2026: Harrison Butker begins the 2026 NFL campaign after signing a historic contract extension with the Chiefs, but suffers a minor plant-leg knee sprain in Week 3. October 2026: Butker returns to game action but struggles with trajectory, pushing kicks wide against Denver and Las Vegas; the Chiefs sign free agent Justin Tucker to the practice squad. November 8, 2026: Butker misses two kicks in a single quarter against the New York Jets at Arrowhead Stadium, bringing his season miss tally to an NFL-worst seven. November 11, 2026: Head coach Andy Reid holds his Week 10 press conference, confirming Butker will start against the Atlanta Falcons and reaffirming long-term organizational confidence.

Where

The star marks GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, the iconic home venue where Harrison Butker kicked the Chiefs to multiple Super Bowl appearances and where he will take the field against Atlanta on Sunday.