On this collection, we are going to have a look at established gamers — digital locks to make this yr’s Kansas Metropolis Chiefs squad — with essentially the most driving on the 2026 season.
The place will we even begin with the longtime Chiefs’ kicker?
The league’s third-highest-paid kicker has to carry out higher than he did in 2025.
Lengthy thought-about to have one of many league’s most clutch legs, the Chiefs couldn’t constantly rely upon Butker a yr in the past. To be truthful, kicker mishaps are generally overmagnified. On discipline aim makes an attempt, Butker was in all probability not as unhealthy as perceived final season. Nonetheless, he undoubtedly slipped from the highest choice on the place to league-average.
The kicker made a reputation for himself by being cash on what have been as soon as thought-about insanely lengthy discipline aim makes an attempt. On makes an attempt from over 50 yards, he was profitable on 5 of eight tries with a longest profitable kick of 59 yards. He missed solely two of his 30 tries from inside 50 yards, and he was excellent on discipline targets from 40 yards out or much less.
Butker’s 86.8% success charge would have been thirteenth amongst kickers who appeared in 10 or extra video games in 2025. That may be completely acceptable manufacturing for a median kicker making a back-of-the-roster wage.
Butker, then again, was paid over $3.8 million in 2025 and is scheduled to earn $5.9 million (with a completely assured base wage) in 2026.
Whereas his discipline aim work a yr in the past was middling however acceptable, he was inexplicably unhealthy on additional level makes an attempt. Leaguewide, kickers had a 95.9% success charge on additional factors. The play is so automated that many followers miss it, going for a snack or operating to the restroom after a landing.
Butker missed 4 additional factors in 2025 (on 35 makes an attempt) for a hit common of 88.6%. This ranked twenty fifth amongst kickers with ten or extra appearances. Anecdotally, Chiefs followers will bear in mind holding their breath for a number of of his nominally profitable tries that appeared to barely keep contained in the uprights.
The NFL’s new kickoff rule additionally appeared to frustrate Butker at instances. Two of his kickoffs drew placement penalties final yr. This included an important out-of-bounds kick in opposition to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 5, close to the tip of the fourth quarter, that allowed the opponent to start out the game-winning drive at their very own 40-yard line.
Though he’s technically signed by means of 2028, Butker basically is getting into a contract season with Kansas Metropolis. His $5.7 million salaries for 2027 and 2028 are non-guaranteed and now appear disproportionate to the worth he can ship on the sphere.
With a repeatedly tight monetary image, the Chiefs may create $4.4 million in 2027 wage cap area by releasing Butker after the season.
If launched, he may additionally discover problem latching on with a brand new group.
Merely put, gamers who’ve been among the many highest paid at their positions aren’t all the time desperate to accept discount contracts. Butker could have remodeled $30 million in his NFL profession after 2026 and could also be much less inclined to take presents nearer to the veteran minimal groups typically throw at common kickers.
There’s additionally a perpetual elephant within the room when discussing Harrison Butker. He has grow to be notable off the sphere for expressing controversial opinions. Whereas his remarks are actually constitutionally protected, the potential for a public-relations headache may dampen curiosity in his free-agent market.
Until one boasts transcendent expertise, it’s typically higher for NFL gamers to not be well-known for something besides enjoying soccer. If Butker’s 2025 manufacturing is what to anticipate going ahead, groups could also be hesitant to decide on his companies over a much less polarizing kicker.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 21: Harrison Butker #7 of the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs prepares to kick a fieldgoal in opposition to the New York Giants in the course of the second quarter at MetLife Stadium on September 21, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photograph by Sarah Stier/Getty Pictures) Getty Pictures
Butker could make the notion he has created not matter. If 2026 sees a return to his standing as one of many league’s finest kickers, Butker may simply keep in Kansas Metropolis on his excessive 2027 wage — and even beat it in free company if launched. NFL groups typically have little persistence for drama from replaceable expertise, however they present excessive tolerance when it comes from productive gamers.
No matter one’s emotions about Butker’s manufacturing or persona, there is no such thing as a debating his popularity as knowledgeable. In coaching camp, we are going to seemingly see him out early training his craft. When he takes media questions on the podium, count on him to be candid and take accountability for his disappointing yr.
However he has misplaced the fanbase’s belief that he can ship in key moments. That shall be very troublesome to rebuild.
At 31 years previous, there may be actually a path for Butker to retake the mountain as one of many league’s elite kickers. Due to some circumstances surrounding him, nonetheless, one other tough marketing campaign may probably carry his NFL days to an early shut.
