After a shaky start, Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker has returned to form

Early in the 2025 NFL season, Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker seemed to be having a rough time. The normally sure-footed Butker was not only missing makeable field goals, he was shanking extra points and sending kickoffs out of bounds at the most inopportune times. He missed at least one kick in each of the Chiefs’ first four games, and his fourth-quarter kickoff in week five at the Jacksonville Jaguars landed out of bounds, giving the Jags a head start in their game-winning drive. It also triggered an uproar that prompted Chiefs fans to bombard social media with complaints, screaming for his head.

Andy Reid defended Harrison Butker as he struggled

In an interview with ABC affiliate KMBC, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid defended Butker, shrugging off his miscues with a golf analogy.

“Yeah, like any golfer, right? You guys have all golfed. Sometimes you’re hitting it good and other times you’re off, but you work through it, and you keep swinging, man, and he’ll do that. He’s a talented kid and mentally tough; I’m not really worried about him.”

Harrison Butker has returned to form

As it turns out, the fans overreacted and Reid’s patience was rewarded. Since Week 5, Butker has converted 17-of-19 PATs and 11-of-11 field goals. He nailed five of five field-goal attempts against the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday, and his clutch, 27-yarder in overtime lifted the Chiefs to a 23-20 come-from-behind victory. It looks like Butker has recovered from his early-season slump and has reclaimed his status as one of the NFL’s most accurate kickers. Through Week 13, his 2025 field-goal accuracy has climbed to 87.5%, just shy of his career average (88.5%).

The Chiefs will need Harrison Butker down the stretch

After a 31-28 Thanksgiving loss to the Dallas Cowboys, Butker, who made all four of his PAT attempts, and the Chiefs are 6-6 and suddenly in danger of missing the playoffs. Their remaining schedule includes tough games against the Los Angeles Chargers (7-4), the AFC West division-leading Denver Broncos (9-2), and their next opponent, the Houston Texans (6-5), on Dec. 7. 

The Chiefs are currently behind all three teams and will likely need to defeat them all and receive help to secure a playoff berth. To do that, they will undoubtedly require the services of an accurate and reliable placekicker. And thankfully, and perhaps finally, it appears they have one in Butker.