SIT · 2026-10-30

Harrison Butker Retains Chiefs Job Under Mounting Pressure

• Chiefs stand by Harrison Butker despite his recent struggles.
• Justin Tucker impressed Kansas City with a perfect tryout.
• Butker enters Week 8 on a remarkably short leash.

What happened

Despite his recent struggles on the field, the Chiefs are standing by Harrison Butker as their primary kicker for Week 8. Veteran Justin Tucker turned heads with a flawless tryout session and waits in the wings, but Kansas City currently views Tucker as valuable insurance and a developmental resource while Butker gets the opportunity to right the ship and regain his trademark field goal consistency.

Fantasy impact

From a fantasy perspective, Harrison Butker is a volatile start that you should avoid in Week 8. He sits outside top projections led by Will Reichard at 12.9 pts and Spencer Shrader at 11.6 pts. With Tucker lurking in the building, any missed kick could accelerate an in-season change. In 10-team and 12-team redraft leagues, streaming more reliable kickers off waivers is the smartest tactical move.

What changes for the team

Kansas City puts its special teams unit under intense scrutiny. Andy Reid may lean toward going for it on 4th down in plus territory if kicking uncertainty continues to linger.

What to do: Bench or drop Harrison Butker for a safer streaming kicker in Week 8.

Players: Harrison Butker

Sources

• CBS Sports: « Chiefs stand by Harrison Butker despite struggles, Justin Tucker waiting in wings » · Read the original report

Our own write-up and analysis based on the cited report.