Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker is fresh off of hitting a 51-yard game-winning field goal against the Cincinnati Bengals, propelling Kansas City to a 2-0 start.
Butker has been one of the best kickers in the league since his rookie season back in 2017. He led the NFL in scoring in 2019 and owns the record for the longest field goal ever made (57 yards) in a Super Bowl (LVIII).
Next in Butker’s sights is setting the record for the longest field goal in all of NFL history. The Chiefs almost let him have the chance last week against the Bengals, briefly sending him onto the field for what would have been a 68-yard attempt.
However, coach Andy Reid nixed it because if Butker missed, Cincinnati would have had a short field with plenty of time left on the clock to get points before the end of the first half. While speaking to the media on Thursday, Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub sounded very confident that Butker will get the opportunity sooner rather than later.
“In a vacuum he could probably hit, I’d say a 68 yarder,” Toub said when asked about Butker’s range. “You know, with a little bit of wind he could probably bang, you know, I’ve seen him do it from 73 yards. I’ve seen him do it. So, that kick was very makeable, because we had the wind at our back, and he hit a, I think he hit a 66 in pregame. Then we tried a 73 and he just kind of barely (missed). He had plenty of leg. The leg was strong enough, but just a little bit left. So, you know, in the right conditions, with the time right? You know, if we ran a little bit more time off the clock there, if it was 10 seconds or so, you take a shot at it. We’ll get that option. You know, we’re going to get that chance. I mean, he was disappointed. You seen him. He was disappointed when we took him off. He really thought we were going. I did too. I really did. But Danny was right. That was a smart decision by coach Reed.”
The record for longest field goal in NFL history is 66 yards, set by Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker in 2021. Butker’s career long is 62 yards, which he accomplished during the 2022 season. As Toub stated, Butker has hit from distances well above the record numerous times over the years during practices and pre-game warmups.
The Chiefs clearly trust Butker to have the attempt at the record, but the situation will have to be right. Factors to consider will be the weather, field conditions and clock management. With points being at such a premium so far this season, the Chiefs may be more willing than ever to give Bukter the shot. It could come as soon as this week versus Atlanta, as the Falcons play in a dome that is just seven years old.
