The Kansas City Chiefs are changing their mind on Harrison Butker’s use for the upcoming season. During the spring, the Chiefs were weighing options to use Butker less on special teams due to rule changes on kickoffs.
The Kansas City Chiefs were experimenting with Justin Reid
Jan 21, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Kansas City Chiefs safety Justin Reid (20) against the Buffalo Bills in the 2024 AFC divisional round game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
As previously discussed on GH, safety Justin Reid practiced as the Chiefs’ kicker for kickoffs during OTAs this spring. Reid was excited about the opportunity to kick off because he could use his skill set to play more snaps in the league. Reid said Butker was on board with the change:
Reid said Butker isn’t worried about missing out on kickoff duties. Butker is glad to avoid a troubling game-changing scenario:
“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.”
The Chiefs are apparently changing their mind on using Reid for kickoffs this season.
The Chiefs plan to use Harrison Butker as their K for kickoffs
Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs place kicker Harrison Butker (7) celebrates a field goal with tight end Noah Gray (83) against the San Francisco 49ers in the first half in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
According to Jesse Newell of the Kansas City Star, special teams coordinator Dave Toub said the Chiefs plan to keep Butker as their main kicker for kickoffs. Toub said the decision was because of the precise skills needed on kickoffs:
“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.”
No one knows what the kickoff is going to look like with NFL athletes until teams try it during preseason and early regular season games. Coaches and players are guessing and strategizing the play based on XFL tape.
The strategy is subject to change
Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker (7) against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Toub said the Chiefs could change up their strategy if returners start returning kickoffs for big gains:
“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.”
Reid will have to compete to find another spot on the roster this preseason.
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Publish date : 2024-07-29 13:50:12
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