The Kansas City Chiefs had a lot of disappointing performances in 2025, but one of the biggest buzzkills was Harrison Butker. One of the best kickers in franchise history, Butker didn’t live up to his standards, but with three years remaining on his contract, he seems safe entering next season.
That may have changed with two kickers entering the free agent market on Tuesday. According to NFL Insider Jordan Schultz, the Washington Commanders will not tender restricted free agent Jake Moody, allowing him to hit the open market. At the same time, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero noted that Nick Folk is preparing to play in 2026 as he enters his age-41 season.
Both kickers could represent an upgrade over what Butker gave them last season, and it could be a reason why he could be sweating it out when free agency opens next week.
Chiefs Could Challenge Harrison Butker By Targeting Jake Moody, Nick Folk in Free Agency
If the Chiefs want to look for an immediate upgrade, Folk is the answer. Over the past three seasons, Folk has led the NFL with a 96.3% field goal conversion rate and has made 75-of-77 extra point attempts (97.4%) with the Tennessee Titans and New York Jets.
While there haven’t been many high-leverage kicks in Nashville or Gotham in recent years, Folk has a strong track record, converting 93.0% of his field goals dating back to the 2020 season with the New England Patriots.
The Chiefs could also seek upside with Moody.
A former third-round pick by the San Francisco 49ers, Moody made 21-of-25 field goals (84.0%) while making 60-of-61 (98.4%) of his extra points during his rookie season in 2023 and performed well last season, making 19-of-23 field goals (82.6%) and 15-of-16 extra points (93.8%) while splitting time between the 49ers, Chicago Bears and Commanders last season.
While Moody has had success, including a career-long, 57-yard field goal during his rookie season, he has struggled at times, too. That includes a pair of missed field goals in Week 1 that resulted in his release from San Francisco. With Folk also potentially falling off an age cliff, Butker may be the safest of the three options, but his performance from the last two seasons created some doubt.
Butker converted just 85.7% of his field goal attempts over the past two seasons and missed six extra points on 66 attempts for a 90.9%. That includes last season’s struggles, where he made just 33-of-38 field goals (86.8%) and 31-of-35 (88.6%) extra points, opening the door for the Chiefs to make a move.
Such a move could be tricky as Butker would cost Kansas City $10 million in dead money and a $2.7 million cap penalty if he is released by June 1, according to OverTheCap. If the Chiefs can find a trade partner, though, an exchange after June 1 would create $5.9 million in cap space.
Targeting Moody and/or Folk could also be worth it for a kicker who has struggled over the past two. Butker needs the competition, and the Chiefs might be in line to give it to him after Tuesday’s news.