The Kansas City Chiefs could often trust Harrison Butker to take care of business on the field. Unfortunately for Andy Reid's team, that hasn't been the case so far this season.
The veteran kicker has been far from his usual self. And even though he wasn't required to kick a single field goal in the 31-28 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, he may have cost the team a win with a rookie-like mistake. With the Chiefs up four and roughly two minutes left to play, he kicked the kickoff out of bounds, giving Trevor Lawrence excellent field position at the 40-yard line.
The Chiefs Should Sign Matthew Wright to Replace Harrison Butker
That was just the latest in a series of miscues from the former Super Bowl champion. And with the Chiefs sitting on a 2-3 record and having a date with the Detroit Lions up next, they simply can't afford to have him make any more mistakes.
That's why they should turn to Matthew Wright, who's already more than familiar with the organization and special teams coordinator Dave Toub, as his replacement. He's been with the franchise three times already, including once last season.
The Chiefs first signed him to the practice squad in September 2022. They elevated him to the active roster twice this season, and he made three of four field goals (including a then-franchise record 59-yarder) and went perfect on eight PATs.
Wright returned to the organization next season, once again as a member of their practice squad. He was elevated to the active roster in Week 18 against the Raiders, but he was inactive and was released shortly after.
His final stint -- so far -- with the team came in November 2024. He joined the practice squad again and was elevated to the active roster in early December. He converted both of his PATs and went eight for nine in field goal attempts, including a 31-yard field goal to beat the Los Angeles Chargers and clinch the AFC West division.
Butker has been a pivotal part of the team's success, and he's quite popular among some of the fans. Nevertheless, he's already missed two PATs and three field goals this season, and history suggests that he's more likely to get worse than better at this point in his career. It won't be an easy decision, but it's one that needs to be made.