Andy Reid's latest decision regarding Harrison Butker reveals serious doubts about Justin Tucker
The Chiefs kicking situation has taken another twist following consecutive defeats
J ustin Tucker 's arrival in Kansas City appeared to place Harrison Butker 's future under immediate threat, but Andy Reid has made it clear that the former Baltimore Ravens star will have to wait longer for his opportunity.
The Chiefs coach confirmed Wednesday that Butker will remain the team's starting kicker against the New York Jets , despite another expensive mistake contributing to Kansas City's 28-24 defeat against the Denver Broncos .
The decision comes only a week after Kansas City signed Tucker to its practice squad, a move that appeared to signal growing frustration with Butke r's inability to rediscover the consistency that helped the franchise win three Super Bowls.
However, Reid has resisted making an immediate change, even with the Chiefs attempting to recover from consecutive defeats and their special teams becoming an increasingly significant concern.
"Harrison will be up, yeah," Reid told reporters Wednesday when asked whether Butker would handle kicking duties against the Jets.
The confirmation leaves Tucker facing further uncertainty about his NFL comeback, although Reid hasn't publicly suggested that concerns over the veteran's ability are preventing his promotion.
Butker receives another chance
Butker 's latest setback came during the fourth quarter against Denver, when he missed a 54-yard field goal that could have substantially improved Kansas City's chances of securing victory.
The Chiefs had entered the final quarter leading 24-13, but Denver scored twice to overturn the deficit while Butker failed to convert an opportunity that would have changed the team's late-game requirements.
The 31-year-old has now converted just 12 of 18 field goal attempts this season, leaving him with a success rate of 66.7 percent through seven appearances.
His struggles extend beyond the current campaign, with 16 unsuccessful kicks since the beginning of last season, the highest total recorded by any NFL player during that period.
Butker acknowledged his responsibility after the Broncos defeat, offering a particularly blunt assessment of his latest mistake.
"Just missed it. Didn't even give it a chance," Butker said. "When I say bad miss, like, just completely missed the ball. Didn't even give it a chance. Didn't feel good off the foot. Just not good."
Reid subsequently suggested that Denver's aggressive blocking formation had influenced Butker 's approach, contributing to the ball drifting wide of the uprights.
Tucker's controversial Chiefs return on hold
Tucker joined Kansas City's practice squad in late October after the Chiefs evaluated several kickers, including former Los Angeles Rams player Harrison Mevis .
The 36-year-old spent 13 seasons with Baltimore, establishing himself among the most accurate kickers in NFL history before his release in May 2025.
However, his departure followed allegations of sexual misconduct involving massage therapists, which Tucker denied. The NFL subsequently imposed a 10-game suspension for violating its personal conduct policy.
His arrival in Kansas City attracted considerable criticism, but the Chiefs nevertheless viewed him as an experienced option amid Butker 's declining accuracy.
Despite his own struggles, Butker has spoken positively about his new teammate and acknowledged that the competition has created additional pressure.
"Justin's been great. Enjoyed talking with him and getting to know him a little bit more," Butker said after Sunday's defeat. "So it was a good week of practice, but doesn't matter, you've got to make them in the game."
Reid 's decision gives Butker another opportunity against the Jets , but the continued presence of Tucker ensures the competition is unlikely to disappear while Kansas City's kicking problems persist.
