The Kansas City Chiefs' kicking game has been off since the start of the season in the most frustrating fashion. Sunday night's win over the Detroit Lions was the latest example of this, with Harrison Butker missing yet another extra point.
That is the third extra point the kicker has missed this season, to go along with three makeable field goals that are typically within Butker's range. The confusing part about all of this is just how inconsistent the kicker has been. It isn't as if things are falling apart to the point that a change is needed.
However, you cannot rely on Butker, and that was the case in a game where this miss could've proven costly. Kansas City was lucky to play the Lions not only in Arrowhead but in a moment when injuries had ravaged Detroit's secondary. The miss didn't prove to be a game-changing issue, but it is something that could easily cost the franchise down the line. With this in mind, it is time for the Chiefs to make a move at the position. Not demoting Butker, but bringing in a practice squad kicker to attempt to pressure the accomplished veteran.
The Chiefs Cannot Continue to Ignore Butker's Early-Season Struggles
With the Chiefs being clear AFC contenders and needing a reliable kicking game, this is a delicate line to walk. You don't want to overlook the legacy of Butker or ignore the warning signs that are going off every week around the inconsistent kicker. With this in mind, the best thing that Kansas City can do is go out and add a piece to the practice squad in hopes of finding a surprise contributor or putting the pressure on Butker to perform consistently.
Andy Reid and the Chiefs' coaching staff have every reason to hold a high level of belief in the kicker. However, we are well past shrugging off these misses as simply being a product of early-season struggles or jitters in a new year. Butker has arguably already cost the franchise winnable early-season games, which has not been the case in recent years, given his usual reliable presence.
Adding a piece to the practice squad should be accomplished quickly over the next week. It doesn't have to be viewed as a competition yet or as a clear lack of faith in Butker. Adding to the position is simply sending a message of urgency to your kicker and setting the stage for a possible change if things go sideways. As odd as it seems to say, Butker has left the Chiefs no other choice.