Harrison Butker's Kansas City Chiefs Future In Doubt After Two Costly Misses Against New York Jets

Harrison Butker watches a missed field goal sail right as the Kansas City Chiefs beat the New York Jets© Image via: X/@NFL_DovKleiman

Seven seconds before halftime, Harrison Butker lined up a 56-yard kick at Arrowhead Stadium and pushed it right. A Jets penalty gave him a second chance. He missed again. The Kansas City Chiefs still beat the New York Jets 35-12, yet the loudest question left the stadium with the fans. Will Andy Reid stick with his veteran kicker, or turn to Justin Tucker, who sits on the practice squad? Reid gave no answer on Sunday. He did promise to look at everything. Now the clock is ticking.

Harrison Butker Struggles From Long Range For The Kansas City Chiefs

The numbers explain the noise. Butker is now 2 of 8 from 50 yards or beyond this season, a 25 percent rate. EssentiallySports counts seven misses on 19 field goal tries overall. Both Sunday attempts drifted right of the upright, which points to a repeating flaw rather than bad luck. He did hit all five extra points, so the short kicks look fine. Trouble starts when the distance grows.

Butker did not dodge the topic afterward.

Chiefs K Harrison Butker speaks on his recent struggles https://t.co/qbdd4BVkze

— Bussin' With The Boys (@BussinWTB) November 8, 2026

"I try to do my best on every single kick, and just unfortunately those 50-plus-yarders aren't going in," he said in the locker room.

Andy Reid And Patrick Mahomes Weigh In On The Kicker Question

Reid closed his opening statement by shutting the door on follow-up questions.

"I'll address that as we go throughout the week," Reid said. "I'll look at everything, and no need to ask. That'll be the answer that you get. So I'm not making any decisions right now today."

That patience has a reason. Kansas City signed Justin Tucker, the former Baltimore Ravens kicker, to the practice squad in late October. Reid now has a real option, not just a hope.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes chose to support his teammate. After Butker's miss, the Arrowhead crowd booed. Mahomes walked over with a message.

"I've seen him make field goals at the biggest stages that you can make in this league," Mahomes said. "And so I want him to know that I have as much confidence in him as I ever had. And so just try to give him that vote of confidence there at that moment and kind of keep it moving."

A 25 percent rate from deep also shapes play calling. Reid may think twice before sending Butker out on a long try and choose to punt or go for it instead. Watch this week's practice reports. They will say more than any press conference.