The future of kicker Harrison Butker with the Kansas City Chiefs is under scrutiny following a series of in-game misses that have raised concerns among fans and analysts. Over the past eight seasons, Butker has established himself as one of the most reliable kickers in the NFL, maintaining a career field goal percentage of 88.0%, which ranks third among active kickers, trailing only Cameron Dicker and Eddy Piñeiro, according to Pro Football Reference.
However, his performance in the current season has been troubling. After an injury-shortened 2024 season where he missed six kicks, including four field goals and two extra points, Butker has already missed five kicks in just five games of the 2025 season—three field goals and two extra points. Each game this season has been marred by some form of inaccuracy from Butker, leading to increased frustration among the Chiefs’ fan base.
Fans expressed their dissatisfaction on social media, especially after a crucial kickoff out-of-bounds in a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, which directly contributed to a game-winning drive for the Jaguars. This blunder ignited a wave of criticism, with many calling for Butker’s dismissal from the team.
Despite the mounting pressure, the Chiefs’ coaching staff remains supportive of Butker. Dave Toub, the special teams coach, addressed the media and emphasized the team’s commitment to helping Butker regain his form. “We’re going to keep working…obviously, we don’t like misses,” Toub stated. “In a little bit of a struggle right now, everybody can see it, but we’re going to keep working.”
Head coach Andy Reid echoed Toub’s sentiments, comparing Butker’s situation to that of a golfer grappling with inconsistent swings. “You keep swinging, man. And he’ll do that. He’s a talented kid, tough, mentally tough. I’m not really worried about him,” Reid commented.
While Butker’s struggles have not yet resulted in a loss for the Chiefs, the situation remains delicate. His position as the team’s kicker appears to be secure for now, bolstered by the confidence expressed by both Toub and Reid. With 12 regular-season games remaining, Butker will have several opportunities to prove that his recent inaccuracy is an isolated incident rather than indicative of a decline in performance.
As the season progresses, Chiefs fans and the coaching staff will be watching closely to see if Butker can overcome these challenges. For now, the team will rely on patience and determination to navigate this rough patch, hoping to see their kicker return to his previous form.
