Butker, who has missed five of his 16 field goal attempts this season, faced a difficult outing during last week's loss to the Seattle Seahawks, where he missed attempts from 58 and 45 yards. Despite these recent setbacks, Toub expressed confidence in his kicker, noting that Butker performed well during Wednesday's practice session, successfully converting all 10 of his attempts despite challenging 28-mile-per-hour wind gusts.
Focusing on Form and Competition
The addition of Tucker, a five-time All-Pro who has not played in the NFL since 2024, came after a rigorous three-man workout conducted by Toub. During the tryout, which included Harrison Mevis and Ben Sauls, Tucker reportedly demonstrated high levels of accuracy, successfully completing a series of kicks that included seven attempts from beyond 50 yards and a 60-yard effort. Toub described the veteran's performance as off-the-charts good, justifying the decision to bring him into the practice squad environment.
Beyond the competitive aspect, the Chiefs are utilizing Tucker’s presence to assist Butker in refining his technique. The two kickers were seen collaborating during Wednesday’s practice, discussing kicking mechanics and offering mutual feedback. Toub emphasized that the goal is to help Butker regain his consistency, noting that the veteran's presence has already proven beneficial in terms of professional dialogue between the two specialists.
Looking Ahead to Denver
Butker is expected to retain his spot in the active lineup for Sunday’s crucial AFC West clash against the Denver Broncos. The game carries significant weight for the division standings, and the coaching staff is looking for a return to form from their long-time kicker. While Toub has publicly backed his player, head coach Andy Reid indicated on Wednesday that the team is keeping its options open, acknowledging that Tucker could be elevated to the active roster for the following week's game against the New York Jets should Butker’s struggles persist.
For his part, Butker acknowledged the need for improvement, attributing his recent misses to over-swinging rather than a lack of power. Having been with the organization since 2017, the kicker expressed gratitude for the ongoing support from Toub, who has been a central figure in his career development. The team continues to monitor the situation closely, with Tucker now integrated into the kicking operation alongside long snapper James Winchester and punter Matt Araiza to ensure readiness should a change be required.
