The Kansas City Chiefs have added a major name to their kicking competition by signing veteran kicker Justin Tucker to the practice squad, putting fresh attention on Harrison Butker’s struggles during the 2026 NFL season. After years of reliable performances, Butker is facing questions about his future following a series of missed kicks.
Butker has made 11 of 16 field-goal attempts this season, giving him a career-low success rate of 68.8%. His recent misses have increased the pressure on the Chiefs to find a dependable option as they continue their campaign.
However, Kansas City has not announced that Butker will be released or that Tucker will immediately take over the starting job. For now, the practice-squad signing gives the Chiefs another option while they evaluate their kicking situation.
Why Are the Chiefs Considering a Change at Kicker?
Harrison Butker has been an important part of the Chiefs’ success for years, helping the franchise win three Super Bowl championships. His experience and previous consistency have earned him considerable patience, but his recent performances have raised concerns.
Butker has missed five field goals and one extra point this season, according to the supplied report. He has also struggled from long range, converting just two of six attempts from 50 yards or beyond.
His difficulties were particularly noticeable in Kansas City’s 20-3 loss to Seattle. Butker missed a 58-yard field goal before halftime and a 45-yard attempt in the fourth quarter.
Although the longer attempt was difficult, the missed 45-yarder added to the pressure surrounding the Chiefs kicker. In a game where Kansas City managed only three points, every scoring opportunity mattered.
Head coach Andy Reid acknowledged that Butker had been one of football’s most consistent kickers but indicated that he needed to correct his current issues.
Justin Tucker Joins the Chiefs’ Practice Squad
The Chiefs signed Justin Tucker to their practice squad on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, providing the team with an experienced alternative.
Tucker, 36, spent his NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens and earned seven Pro Bowl selections. He also owns an 89.1% career field-goal conversion rate, the second-best mark in NFL history according to the supplied report.
His track record makes him an intriguing option for Kansas City. Tucker was among the league’s most dependable kickers during his prime, including a career-best 97.4% field-goal percentage in 2016.
However, his recent record is less impressive. Tucker converted 22 of 30 field-goal attempts in 2024, finishing with a career-worst 73.3% success rate. He has not kicked in an NFL game since that season.
The Chiefs must therefore weigh Tucker’s impressive career numbers against his recent performance and extended absence from game action.
Will the Chiefs Cut Harrison Butker?
The biggest question following the Justin Tucker signing is whether Kansas City will release Harrison Butker.
At this stage, there is no confirmation that the Chiefs intend to cut their longtime kicker. Tucker remains on the practice squad rather than the active 53-man roster, meaning Butker retains his position for now.
Butker’s contract is another important factor. He is signed through 2028, and releasing him would carry financial consequences for Kansas City.
According to the supplied report, Butker has a $10.1 million dead-cap figure. A release before June 1 of the 2027 offseason would reportedly result in $2.8 million in dead-cap charges, compared with $1.4 million under a post-June 1 designation.
Those figures give the Chiefs a financial reason to consider their options carefully instead of immediately moving on from Butker.
Nevertheless, performance will remain important. If Butker continues to miss important kicks, Kansas City could consider elevating Tucker or making another roster decision.
Harrison Butker vs. Justin Tucker: Career Numbers Compared
The two kickers bring different recent records and levels of experience into the situation.
| Category | Harrison Butker | Justin Tucker |
|---|---|---|
| Current situation | Chiefs kicker | Chiefs practice squad |
| 2026 field-goal percentage | 68.8% | No 2026 NFL game attempts reported |
| Career field-goal percentage | 88.4% through 2025, according to the supplied report | 89.1% |
| Recent full-season percentage | 86.8% in 2025 | 73.3% in 2024 |
| NFL Pro Bowl selections | Not specified in the supplied report | Seven |
| Kansas City status | Established starter | Potential alternative |
The comparison highlights why the Chiefs brought Tucker in for an evaluation. His career accuracy is higher than Butker’s current-season percentage, but those numbers cover different periods and should not be treated as a direct comparison of their current form.
Tucker must demonstrate that he can return to NFL competition after his extended absence, while Butker has the opportunity to improve his numbers through continued playing time.
Justin Tucker News: What Did Justin Tucker Do?
Search interest surrounding Justin Tucker has also been driven by the allegations that affected his NFL career.
Tucker faced sexual misconduct allegations from 16 massage therapists following the 2024 season. The Baltimore Ravens subsequently released him in May 2025, according to the supplied reports.
The NFL suspended Tucker for 10 games in 2025 for violating its personal conduct policy. He was not on an active NFL roster during that suspension.
Tucker has maintained that he did nothing inappropriate. The allegations should therefore be described as allegations rather than treated as proven misconduct.
His signing with Kansas City has renewed attention on both his football record and the circumstances surrounding his departure from Baltimore.
Justin Tucker Allegations Update
The latest development covered in the supplied information is Tucker’s signing with the Chiefs’ practice squad on October 28, 2026.
The available report does not establish that the signing resolves the allegations or provides a new legal outcome. Instead, the immediate football development is that Tucker has another opportunity to work toward an NFL return.
His practice-squad status also means that joining Kansas City does not automatically make him the team’s starting kicker.
Could Justin Tucker Become the Chiefs’ Starting Kicker?
Tucker has a realistic opportunity to compete for a role, but the Chiefs have not confirmed a change at the position.
Practice-squad players can be elevated for game days under NFL roster rules, subject to the applicable procedures. That gives Kansas City flexibility if it decides Tucker should handle kicking duties.
Several factors could influence the decision:
- Butker’s accuracy: Continued improvement could help him retain the starting job.
- Tucker’s readiness: Kansas City will need to assess his ability to kick consistently after a long layoff.
- Roster and contract considerations: Butker’s existing deal makes a release financially significant.
- Team priorities: The Chiefs need reliable special-teams performance as they pursue their season goals.
The signing creates competition without guaranteeing that Tucker will replace Butker.
What Happens Next for Harrison Butker?
Harrison Butker’s immediate future with Kansas City will depend on his performance and the team’s evaluation of its alternatives.
His history with the Chiefs gives him a strong record of achievement, but the 68.8% field-goal rate reported for the 2026 season is a significant departure from his previous standards.
Justin Tucker’s arrival increases the pressure on Butker while giving the Chiefs another experienced option. At the same time, Tucker must show that his previous success can translate into reliable performances after several seasons away from NFL game action.
For now, the Chiefs have added competition rather than officially replacing their longtime kicker. Whether the move leads to a permanent change will depend on what happens next on the field.
Bottom line: Harrison Butker remains the Chiefs’ kicker for now, while Justin Tucker’s practice-squad signing puts the veteran under increased pressure to improve.
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