Chiefs Coach Dave Toub Struggles to Address Harrison Butker’s Missed Kicks
Kansas City Chiefs Strive for Consistency Amid Harrison Butker’s Kicking Challenges
Addressing Kicking Concerns for the Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs have rebounded from a poor 0-2 start with a two-game winning streak, easing early concerns over their offensive pace. Nonetheless, the performance of placekicker Harrison Butker remains a source of anxiety, as he has missed at least one kick in each of the Chiefs’ four games. Butker’s struggles include failed field goals from 40, 58, and 56 yards, along with two missed extra-point attempts. One of these misses was pushed back to 48 yards due to a celebration penalty.
Aiming for Improvement on the Field
Dave Toub, the Chiefs’ special teams coordinator and assistant head coach, acknowledges the challenges but remains optimistic. “We’re going to keep working,” he mentioned during a recent press conference. “Butker made three out of four field goals on Sunday and scored 13 points in total, which is encouraging.” Toub strives for more consistency, revealing confidence that Butker’s performance will stabilize with continued efforts.
The Role of Team Dynamics in Kicking Performance
Toub underscores that kicking is a team effort, noting issues with blocking during Butker’s recent 56-yard miss. “There was significant pressure on that play,” he explained, attributing partial responsibility to blockers. Despite the ongoing struggles, Toub believes the solution lies in continuous effort, likening improvement to assembling a series of perfect games.
Adjusting to New NFL Kickoff Rules
This season, the NFL introduced new kickoff rules aimed at reducing touchbacks. When a kickoff lands outside the desired area, the ball is now placed at the 35-yard line—a change from the previous 30-yard rule. Strong-legged kickers like Butker have had to adapt their strategies accordingly. In 2024, 67% of Kansas City’s kickoffs were touchbacks, but this year that number has dramatically decreased to 13%, reflecting changes in practice focus.
Progress through Practice and Adaptation
Butker’s ability to place kickoffs effectively within the landing zone might be affecting his field goal accuracy. Toub has considered the balance between prioritizing kickoffs and field goals in practice. “It is something that I’ve thought about, but Butker is a detail-oriented player committed to perfecting all aspects of his game,” Toub stated. He praises Butker’s dedication and reinforces the importance of maintaining proficiency in both areas of the kicking game.
With the Kansas City Chiefs continuing to work through these challenges, both Toub and Butker are focused on achieving the consistency and success needed to bolster the team’s performance this NFL season. Stay tuned to Emegypt for further updates on the Chiefs’ journey.
