Andy Reid refuses to let Harrison Butker take the fall for Sunday’s loss. The head coach pointed a finger at the offensive line instead. This move shows Reid knows the real problem lies in the trenches.
The Chiefs lost 28-24 to the Denver Broncos on November 1. Butker missed a 54-yard field goal with 2:36 left in the game. That error gave Denver the ball and a chance to win. Bo Nix led a quick drive, and the Broncos scored a touchdown to take a 28-24 lead. Kansas City could not answer back after that.
Reid told reporters he understood why Butker kicked it wide right. “I could kind of see what he saw on that as far as he ended up going too far right,” Reid said, according to MARCA. He explained that Denver overloaded the left side of the line. That pressure forced the kicker to move his alignment. Reid believes the protection broke down, not the kicker’s mechanics.
Why The Line Blame Matters
Reid says the protection failed to keep defenders out. “We never talk about the protection on that and the overloads on that,” Reid told the press, according to Yahoo Sports. He noted that a heavy overload on the left side changed the play. A defensive lineman broke through and made the kicker alter his shot. Reid said, “He kind of had to kick it that way to avoid being blocked.”
Among the NFL’s most lucrative kickers ever is Butker. He should handle pressure. But Reid insists the situation was different this time. The coach says the line needs to do a better job for him. If the line does not improve, the kicker cannot succeed.
The team also had 11 penalties for 105 yards in the loss. “Having over 100 yards of penalties is not a good thing,” said Reid, according to Yahoo Sports. One false start erased a potential game-winning touchdown pass to Rashee Rice. That mistake sealed the fate of the game. The Chiefs cannot keep making these simple errors.
The Path Forward for Kansas City
The Chiefs dropped to 5-2 on the season. They face the New York Jets on Sunday, November 8. This game is at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. The Jets have a 2-6 record and are struggling to score.
Reid still backs Butker as the starter. Veteran Justin Tucker joined the practice squad for the team. This move gives the coaching staff a safety net. The team wants to fix the current player before looking for a new one.
Since last season began, Butker has missed 16 field goals. That is the most of any kicker in the league during that span. He is just 2-for-7 from 50-plus yards this year. Yet Reid sticks with him because he trusts the system.
The coaching staff must clean up the penalties and the blocking. The team cannot lose close games because of self-inflicted wounds. Patrick Mahomes threw for 321 yards and three touchdowns on Sunday. The rest of the team must step up to match his effort.
The next game is a chance to reset. The Jets are an opponent the Chiefs should beat. But the team needs to stop the penalties and fix the line. Reid made his stance clear on Monday. He will not let Butker be the scapegoat. The blame belongs to the protection.
