Andy Reid has made it clear there is no immediate call on Harrison Butker’s future after the Chiefs kicker missed a 51-yard field goal in Sunday’s 35-12 win over the Jets. Reid said he would go through everything during the week before making any decision.
The miss came after Butker was given a mulligan on a failed 56-yard attempt, leaving the conversation around Kansas City’s kicking spot very much alive. The Chiefs also have Justin Tucker on the practice squad as another kicking option, and that makes this a question Reid cannot avoid for long.
Reid is keeping the door open
Reid’s message after the game was measured rather than dramatic. “I’ll address that as we go throughout the week,” he said, adding: “I’ll look at everything.” He also stressed: “I’m not making any decisions right now today.”
That is the clearest sign yet that the Chiefs are not rushing into a move on Sunday night. But it is also not a strong vote of confidence. When a coach is reviewing everything after a game like this, the situation is already under real pressure.
Butker knows the issue is the long range
Butker has now missed eight kicks this year, and the most obvious problem has been from distance. After the game, he said: “I try to be my best on every single kick, and unfortunately, those 50-plus-yarders aren’t going in.”
He added: “But I feel confident,” and: “I’m excited for the kicks, and I just have to do better.” That is the tone of a player trying to stay steady in a difficult run, while also acknowledging the standard the Chiefs expect.
Butker also pointed to the faith Kansas City has shown over 10 seasons. “They’ve seen what I’ve done in my 10 seasons, and they want me to be my best,” he said. “They know who I can be.”
He was also clear that he is still committed to the job. “I’m thankful to be here,” he said. “I’m thankful to be in this position, and I love kicking footballs.” His final line summed it up simply: “I just have to make them go in.”
The Tucker alternative is now part of the story
The Chiefs added Justin Tucker to the practice squad less than two weeks ago, and that is now part of the wider kicking picture in Kansas City. Tucker had not been on a 53-man roster since the end of the 2024 season, and earlier in 2025 multiple women made allegations of misconduct against him. Tucker accepted a 10-game suspension after denying the allegations.
None of that means the Chiefs are ready to move on immediately, but it does mean they have another option if Reid decides this needs more than a week of discussion. For now, the coach has not made that call. But after another missed field goal, the question is not going away.
