Harrison Butker’s Impressive Kick and Misses in Preseason Game

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker showcased his skills during a preseason match against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday night. His performance included a remarkable 69-yard field goal attempt that successfully soared through the uprights just before halftime. This contribution helped the Chiefs secure a 9-0 lead at halftime. Observers speculated that the kick might have been successful from over 70 yards.

If accomplished in a regular-season game, Butker’s kick would surpass the NFL record for the longest field goal made. Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Cam Little previously set the record last season with a 68-yard field goal against the Las Vegas Raiders. Butker has already etched his name in Super Bowl history, achieving the longest field goal in such a setting with a 57-yard kick against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII.

Despite this highlight, Butker’s overall performance faced challenges as the Chiefs lost to the Buccaneers with a final score of 16-15. He missed an extra point and a crucial 43-yard attempt that could have won the game.

Post-game, Butker expressed his dissatisfaction with the off-target kicks. He emphasized the importance of converting crucial attempts over long-distance feats, stating, “You’ve got to make your kicks. Miss an extra point, miss a game-winner. That’s what I care about, not the 69-yarder or whatever it was.” Reflecting on his career, Butker noted a tendency to struggle in finishing games after successful big kicks, humorously suggesting he might need more caffeine for sustained performance.

Butker’s initial extra-point attempt was impacted by a Chiefs penalty following an Emmett Johnson touchdown. His subsequent try rebounded off the upright. Head coach Andy Reid praised Butker’s overall effort but acknowledged the missed opportunity, saying, “Butker, until the last field goal, had a heck of a day. But he’ll be the first to tell you that’s the one he’ll remember. He’ll learn from it and move on. He’s made enough of those big ones for us that we know what he can do.”

The Kansas City Chiefs are scheduled to play their final preseason game on Friday night against the Seattle Seahawks.