Chiefs HC Andy Reid unfazed by glaring Harrison Butker problem that could end up costing his team during the playoffs
Do the Kansas City Chiefs have a kicker problem heading into the postseason? If you ask Chiefs HC Andy Reid the question, the answer is predictably a no. However, the question is certainly one hanging over the team's head. Harrison Butker returned from a knee injury just four weeks ago after landing on injured reserve due to […]
Do the Kansas City Chiefs have a kicker problem heading into the postseason?
If you ask Chiefs HC Andy Reid the question, the answer is predictably a no. However, the question is certainly one hanging over the team's head. Harrison Butker returned from a knee injury just four weeks ago after landing on injured reserve due to a meniscus injury that required a cleanup surgery. Upon returning, Butker was less than his usual consistent self.
He’s now missed two field goals and a long extra point attempt since returning, including the Chiefs' lone chance at points, a 51-yard field goal try in Week 18 against the Denver Broncos.
Dave Toub previously indicated that Butker would need a few weeks upon returning to reach 100 percent, and Reid's latest comments certainly indicate he's still working toward that.
"No, he's working through that, and he'll be fine," Reid told reporters on Friday. "He's just a hard worker. That's what he does. And he's a perfectionist on everything, and so he'll just keep, keep cranking. And I think he's getting better. I think he's getting better every day as he goes through this."
Traditionally, Butker has been practically automatic. In seven postseasons, Butker owns 158 career postseason points, with 62-of-65 career PAT attempts and 32-of-36 made field goals in his career. But there's no denying that this has been, statistically, one of the worst seasons of Butker's career. His field goal percentage (84%) and His extra point percentage (93.5%) both rank as the second-lowest mark of his career. His longest field goal of the season is just 53 yards, which matches his rookie season for the lowest mark in his career.
It's a tough pill to swallow when you consider the Chiefs managed to have three separate kickers with game-winning field goals this season. They've proven that they don't need Butker to win games. Spencer Shrader remains on injured reserve for Kansas City with a calf injury, and Matthew Wright is a free agent. Sure, Butker is still the best option when he's healthy, but he's hardly proven that over the past four games.
Should Butker continue to show signs of improvement in practice, the Chiefs will undoubtedly stick with him. However, it could be their undoing in the playoffs if the results on the field don't improve.
Kansas City Chiefs make roster move that hints one injured player could return just in time for the NFL playoffs
The Kansas City Chiefs could be getting some major reinforcements soon.
