The most surprising fact about the Kansas City Chiefs’ recent loss isn’t that they lost. It is that their star kicker, Harrison Butker, admitted he “just completely missed the ball” on a crucial attempt. This botched kick from 54 yards out in the fourth quarter set up the Denver Broncos for the go-ahead touchdown. The final score was 28-24 on Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High. Butker’s mistake didn’t just lose a game. It opened a door for a legend to walk right into his spot.
Butker has now missed six field goals this season, which is the most in the entire NFL. His success rate of 68.8 percent entering Sunday’s game is the lowest of his career. The New York Post reported that the kicker looked dejected as he walked off the field toward the locker room. He told reporters it was a “really bad miss.” When asked about the feeling, he said, “It didn’t feel good off the foot. Just not good.” These are not normal numbers for a player of his caliber. The pressure is now building with Justin Tucker waiting in the wings.
The Practice Squad Gamble
The Chiefs did not wait for this loss to act. Butker missed two field goals against the Seahawks last weekend. The squad added the ex-Baltimore kicker after that display. In May 2025, 16 Baltimore-area massage therapists accused Tucker of sexual misconduct, prompting his release by the Ravens. Tucker has denied the allegations.
Butker acknowledged Tucker’s arrival with grace, even if the situation is tense. “Justin’s been great,” he said. “Enjoyed talking with him and getting to know him a little bit more. It was a good week of practice, but it doesn’t matter, you have to make them in the game.” The team signed a Hall of Fame‑caliber kicker as insurance and will now evaluate whether he should replace the current starter.
False Starts and Bad Calls
Even if Butker had made that 54-yarder, the game might still have ended in pain. With seconds remaining, a false start penalty put the Chiefs at a disadvantage. Kansas City was trailing 28-24 at the time. Patrick Mahomes completed a pass to Rashee Rice that should have won the game. A flag thrown by the officials four seconds before the end nullified the score. The call was controversial, but it does not change the fact that Butker’s miss gave Denver the life they needed to win.
Tucker’s presence raises questions about whether head coach Andy Reid will make the ex-Raven the Chiefs’ new kicker. Defeat by Denver will amplify those inquiries. The Chiefs have a game against the New York Jets on Sunday, Nov. 8, at Arrowhead Stadium. The team needs a solution before then. Heading into Sunday’s match, Butker claimed his practice week was among his finest. He also lauded Tucker’s presence around the Chiefs. Yet, the numbers show a player in a slump.
