The Desperation Play: Why the Chiefs' Move for Justin Tucker Signals a Total Collapse of Faith in Harrison Butker
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Bringing a disgraced legend onto the practice squad isn't about 'competition'—it's a white flag on the current kicking game.
Let's call this what it is: a panic move.
As Sportsnet first reported, citing The Associated Press, the Kansas City Chiefs are signing former Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker to their practice squad. On the surface, it looks like a low-risk addition of a five-time All-Pro. In reality, it is a glaring admission that the Chiefs have completely lost confidence in Harrison Butker.
**OPINION:** When you bring in a veteran who turns 37 next month to a practice squad, you aren't looking for a 'training partner.' You are looking for a replacement. This is a desperate gamble by a front office that can no longer trust the leg of their current starter.
The numbers supporting this desperation are staggering. As reported by The Associated Press, Butker has been a liability over the last two seasons, missing five PATs and 10 field-goal attempts since the start of last season—the highest total in the NFL. The bleeding hasn't stopped; Butker has missed four of his last six attempts. Most damning were the two missed kicks during Sunday's 20-3 defeat to the Seattle Seahawks.
Now, the Chiefs are turning to Tucker, a man whose career ended in a whirlwind of controversy. The Baltimore Banner reported in 2025 that 16 massage therapists at high-end spas accused Tucker of sexual misconduct. While Tucker dismissed these claims as "tabloid fodder" and "unequivocally false," and was never sued in civil court or criminally charged, the NFL took notice. The league suspended Tucker for the first 10 games of the 2025 season for violating the personal conduct policy.
Even without the baggage, Tucker isn't the sure thing he once was. The Associated Press notes that Tucker missed 10 kicks during the 2024 season before the Ravens released him in May 2025. He even worked out for the Jets prior to this season but failed to secure a contract.
Yet, Kansas City is willing to overlook the suspension and the declining accuracy because Butker has become an active liability. While The Associated Press suggests the move could be to provide "some competition" since Butker remains on the active roster as of Wednesday, the context tells a different story. You don't reach for a suspended, aging veteran unless the current situation is untenable.
Coach Andy Reid is expected to address the move during his weekly news conference, but the subtext is already written. The Chiefs are playing a dangerous game, betting that a disgraced legend can provide the stability that Butker has utterly failed to deliver.