It seems that the Kansas City Chiefs' roster has frustrations at every position, even all the way up to the play of star quarterback Patrick Mahomes. However, near the top of the list is the poor play of Kansas City's special teams unit, which should have special teams coordinator Dave Toub feeling his seat growing a bit warm.
Kicker Harrison Butker is among those on Toub's unit who've failed to meet expectations this season. This includes last Sunday against the Houston Texans when a short attempt was doinked off the upright in a score that would've changed the game. It seems that Toub is no longer sparing anyone's feelings, commenting on Butker's performance via A to Z Sports, Charles Goldman.
"You've got to practice and make your luck, too. You can't depend on the ball doinking off the upright; you've got to be more accurate than that."Dave Toub, Chiefs STC
Toub is unapologetically throwing his kicker under the bus here, pointing out his failures and moving away from fire. While this might not be a move that Butker appreciates all that much, it isn't as if anything that Toub offered in his comments is untrue. The ex-Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket has been far too inconsistent and not living up to his own legend in what has been a lost 2025 season.
Harrison Butker Must Get Back in Dave Toub's Good Graces
Two things can be true here: Toub is obviously deflecting away from a failing unit while also making an appropriate point. He is using the struggles of Butker to take a little heat off himself while pointing out that the kicker needs to not rely on luck but improve and return to the version of himself that Kansas City was once able to rely on.
Butker's performance has been on the decline now, proven by how less accurate he's gotten as of late:
Season | FGs Attempted | FGs Made | FG% | Extra Points Attempted | Extra Points Made | XP% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2025 | 26 | 22 | 84.6% | 33 | 29 | 87.9% |
2024 | 21 | 25 | 84.0% | 31 | 29 | 93.5% |
2023 | 35 | 33 | 94.3% | 38 | 38 | 100% |
The Chiefs are at a bit of a crossroads in what appears to be a lost season. Regardless of how the year ends, it's clear that major changes need to be made this offseason. Outside of Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid, not one piece of this roster should be considered untouchable — including Butker.
An offseason divorce wouldn't totally clear Butker's cap hit off the books; however, a post-June 1 trade would create $5.9 million in savings next summer, per Spotrac. If Butker keeps faltering, the Chiefs can use his championship history to try to move him, using any freed-up cash to flesh out other areas of the roster.
With both of their jobs on the line in the coming weeks, Butker has to step up if he wants to save his and Toub's future with the Chiefs. Otherwise, Kansas City fans might be watching the veteran kicker and special team leader's final days with the franchise.