Chiefs need to move on from Harrison Butker
Overreaction or reality: Overreaction
Butker has been awful for the Chiefs this season, having a kicking error in all five games. He cost the Chiefs on Monday night with his inability to get a kick in bounds or into the landing zone.
The Chiefs had just worn the Jaguars down on a 12-play, 86-yard drive capped by a Kareem Hunt touchdown to take a 28-24 lead with 1:45 left. They appeared poised to survive a 12-round battle with the Jaguars.
On the ensuing kickoff, Butker couldn’t get the ball into the landing zone, as he kicked it out of bounds at the 5-yard line. Penalty on the Chiefs -- and the Jaguars got the ball at the 40-yard line. All Trevor Lawrence needed was to go 60 yards in 1:45. He scored in just 1:17 in what seemed to be a stress-free drive, thanks to the good field position Butker gifted them.
This kickoff blunder adds to Butker’s struggles. He missed a kick in four straight games prior to Monday night, and perhaps his attention to detail on kickoffs has affected other aspects of his game.
The Chiefs will ride with Butker through his struggles because of his history with the franchise and his ability to turn things around. That leash is getting shorter by the week, however.