Chiefs' Kicking Conundrum: Harrison Butker’s Price Tag Doesn’t Match the Trust Level
The Kansas City Chiefs are facing a very real problem at kicker-and it’s not just about missed field goals. It’s about trust. Or, more accurately, the lack of it.
That issue came into full view at the end of Sunday’s season-ending loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. With the game-and their playoff hopes-hanging in the balance, the Chiefs had a decision to make.
They could go to Harrison Butker, the highest-paid kicker in the NFL, for a long but makeable field goal. Instead, they put the ball in the hands of backup quarterback Gardner Minshew, who hadn’t thrown a single pass all season.
The result? An interception that sealed Kansas City’s fate.
That moment wasn’t just about one play call-it was a window into a larger issue. The Chiefs didn’t trust Butker to win them the game. And for a player making more than $6 million a year, that’s a problem.
What Happened?
Let’s set the scene. Kansas City had the ball near the edge of field goal range with 20 seconds left, a timeout in their pocket, and the season on the line.
After a delay-of-game penalty pushed them back five yards, they faced a second down from the 39-yard line. That’s roughly a 58-yard field goal attempt-long, but not out of the question for Butker, who’s hit from that distance before.
Instead of lining up for the kick, the Chiefs dialed up a pass play. Minshew, trying to make something happen, forced a throw toward Travis Kelce in double coverage.
It was picked off. Game over.
Season over.
Why Not Butker?
That’s the question that’s going to linger into the offseason. Why not trust your kicker in that moment?
Butker has a track record of delivering in clutch moments. He’s nailed big-time kicks in playoff games and Super Bowls.
He’s got the leg. He’s got the resume.
But this season, something’s been off-and it’s not just the numbers.
Let’s talk about those numbers, though. Butker has hit just 84.6% of his field goals this year, which is below the league average and ranks as the third-worst season of his career.
His extra-point percentage is even more troubling: 87.9%, the lowest of his career and 23rd in the league. For a kicker with a $5.8 million base salary, those numbers simply don’t cut it.
And the Chiefs’ actions reflect that. Since missing a 56-yarder against the Ravens in Week 4, Butker hasn’t attempted a single field goal from 50 yards or more. That’s nine straight weeks without a long attempt-not because the opportunities weren’t there, but because Kansas City didn’t take them.
The Bigger Picture
This isn’t just about a missed opportunity in Week 18. It’s about a pattern.
The Chiefs have been increasingly aggressive on fourth down, especially around midfield. That’s often framed as a reflection of Andy Reid’s confidence in Patrick Mahomes and the offense.
But it could also be a sign of decreased faith in the kicking game.
And Sunday’s decision only reinforces that idea. If you’re paying a kicker more than $6 million annually-more than five times what you’re paying your backup quarterback-you expect him to be your go-to guy in crunch time. You expect him to be the one you trust when the season is on the line.
But the Chiefs didn’t go that route. They took a shot downfield instead of trying to pick up a few yards and set up a manageable kick. That tells us everything we need to know: they didn’t believe Butker could hit from that distance, or didn’t want to find out.
What’s Next?
Cutting Butker isn’t really an option right now. He carries a $10 million dead cap hit next season, meaning it would actually cost the Chiefs money to move on from him. But they’re clearly in a tough spot.
You don’t want to be paying top dollar for a kicker you don’t fully trust. And if Butker’s long-range attempts continue to disappear from the playbook, it’s fair to wonder how much longer he’ll be part of Kansas City’s plans.
The Chiefs will need to take a hard look at their special teams situation this offseason. Because when you’re a team with championship aspirations, every decision matters-especially the ones that come with the season on the line.
And in that moment on Sunday, the Chiefs made their decision loud and clear. They didn’t go to their star kicker. And that silence spoke volumes.