The Kansas City Chiefs are reconsidering their plans for Harrison Butker this upcoming season. Initially, they thought about reducing Butker’s role on special teams due to new kickoff rules.
Instead, they experimented with safety Justin Reid as the kicker during OTAs. Reid was enthusiastic about the chance to kick off, as it would allow him to play more snaps. He mentioned that Butker was supportive of this change, appreciating the opportunity to avoid potential game-changing injuries:
“No –– we’re in a great place with it. Although I know he can make some tackles, I think that he’s excited to preserve himself, and we can use him where we really need him, which is in those fourth-quarter situations to go nail a 60-yard field goal and win the game,” said Reid. “It would be devastating to try and trot a guy out there who’s feeling nicked up from making a tackle in the second quarter.”
However, the Chiefs have decided to keep Butker as their main kickoff specialist. According to Jesse Newell of the Kansas City Star, special teams coordinator Dave Toub explained that Butker’s precision in kickoffs is crucial:
“So, you have to try to kick it away from the returners if you can, hit in the target zone and skip in the end zone, possibly for a touchback, where (the opponent gets) the ball at the 20,” Toub said. “That’s the ultimate goal on kickoff.”
The effectiveness of these kickoffs under new NFL rules remains uncertain and will be tested during preseason and early regular season games, with strategies being adjusted based on performance.
Toub also mentioned that the Chiefs could alter their strategy if opposing teams consistently achieve big returns:
“If we’re not happy with our kickoff coverage, we’ll go to that. We’re going to do what’s best for the team,” Toub said. “If we feel giving up five yards is better than trying to pin them deep with a different kind of kick, we’ll kick touchbacks, because Butker can kick touchbacks.”
As a result, Reid will have to compete for another spot on the roster this preseason, possibly aiming for the starting safety position.