Chiefs Announce Harrison Butker Decision After 2nd Loss

Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Chiefs Announce Harrison Butker Decision After 2nd Loss

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Nov 4, 2026 1:04 PM ET

Harrison Butker and the Kansas City Chiefs dropped a second straight game in Week 8, falling to 5-2 on the 2026 NFL season after a 28-24 loss to Bo Nix and AFC West rival Denver Broncos, losing their spot atop the division standings. Now, the Chiefs will look to turn things around in Week 9, returning home to host Geno Smith and the New York Jets.

Since joining Kansas City in 2017, Butker has become one of the best kickers in team history, even helping the Chiefs win three Super Bowls in five appearances. This includes his 27-yard field goal with eight seconds left in Super Bowl LVII to secure Kansas City’s 38-35 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.

But to begin his 10th season in the NFL, Butker has seen a major drop in efficiency, making just 12 of his 18 attempts, good for 66.7%, compared to 87.1% throughout his career.

Kansas City Chiefs place kicker Harrison Butker (7).Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

With Butker struggling to begin the season, the Chiefs brought in former Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker to spark some competition. But Tucker, who is one of the best kickers in league history with eight All-Pro nods, has not kicked a field goal in game since the 2024 season, before he was suspended for ten games in 2025.

Despite bringing in Tucker, Kansas City elected to stick with Butker against the Broncos. And despite making his first 45-yard field goal attempt to end the first half, Butker missed an important field goal in the fourth quarter, which would have given the Chiefs a 28-27 lead and a better shot at securing the win.

Still, coach Andy Reid isn’t making any changes to the kicker position when the Jets come to town on Sunday, revealing on Tuesday that Butker will remain the starting kicker for the Chiefs.

“Chiefs HC Andy Reid said Harrison Butker will be the kicker this week,” A to Z Sports’ Charles Goldman said on X.