Chiefs Make Harrison Butker Decision After Justin Tucker Addition Amid Kicker's Struggles

The Kansas City Chiefs will stick with Harrison Butker as their kicker despite the 10-year veteran's recent struggles and the addition of Justin Tucker to the practice squad, per comments that special teams coordinator Dave Toub made to reporters on Thursday.

"We're trying to improve and get Butker right," Toub said. "That's what this whole thing is about. He's our kicker. He went 10-for-10 yesterday with Tucker standing right there. It was a windy day. It was 28 miles an hour gusts yesterday. That's a good thing. We're going to keep working it."

Butker is 11-of-16 on field goals this year, including 2-of-6 from 50 or more yards. He missed attempts from 45 and 58 yards last Sunday evening, when the Chiefs lost on the road to the Seattle Seahawks 20-3.

Butker has been the Chiefs' kicker for five AFC winners and three Super Bowl champions. He's fared quite well over time, making 87.3 percent of his field goals and 37-of-59 from 50 or more yards.

This year hasn't gone well, to the point where Tucker is now aboard as insurance. Tucker was once the NFL's top kicker for years, and he earned five First Team All-Pro honors during his 13-year tenure with the Baltimore Ravens (2012-2024). He struggled in his final season, making a career-low 73.3 percent of his field goals (22-of-30).

The Chiefs are still rolling with Butker amid their 5-1 start, which currently places them atop the AFC West. However, the Denver Broncos ride a three-game winning streak into an important Week 8 battle with the Chiefs, with the winner holding down first place.

Kickoff in Denver is set for 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday.