Warning: This story contains details about alleged sexual abus
The Chiefs have embraced continuity throughout the Andy Reid era. Harrison Butker’s recent struggles might put that pursuit to the test.
The veteran kicker has been one of Kansas City’s steadiest figures during his career, surging to No. 3 on the organization’s all-time scoring list with a barrage of trifectas from distance. In 2026, his powers appear to have diminished — his 68.8% field goal percentage is the fifth-worst mark in football this year.
Butker’s toils have left the Chiefs’ special teams looking exceedingly more threadbare. The AFC West franchise responded in kind on Wednesday, agreeing terms to a deal with disgraced former NFL kicker Justin Tucker to sign him to the practice squad.
Tucker was one of the NFL’s greatest specialists at his peak. He hasn’t played since 2024 after being released following a report alleging him of multiple instances of sexual misconduct.
With that, here’s what you need to know about Tucker’s signing, including how it could affect Butker’s status going forward.
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What Chiefs signing Justin Tucker means for Harrison Butker
By bringing in Tucker, the Chiefs appear to be signaling that Butker’s time in town could be nearing its conclusion should his performances fail to improve. The 31-year-old has long been considered a key part of Kansas City’s special teams corps, seeing his place at the top of the kicking ladder go without challenge for the better part of a decade.
As of late, however, Butker’s skills have waned. Per the Associated Press’ Josh Dubow, Butker has missed 15 kicks (10 field goals, five PATs) since the start of last season. That’s the most in the league in that spell.
Tucker’s addition doesn’t mean that Butker is completely out of time. However, the five-time first-team All-Pro figures to offer protection at a position of weakness for the Chiefs. Should Butker’s struggles continue, he’ll almost certainly give way to Tucker.
Head coach Andy Reid implored Butker to fix things after he missed two field goals in Kansas City’s loss to the Seahawks in Week 7. He’ll have no choice now after Tucker’s signing.
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What happened to Justin Tucker?
Tucker was released in May 2025, months after Tucker was accused of inappropriate sexual behavior by six massage therapists in a report by The Baltimore Banner. 10 more massage therapists came forward with similar claims after the report was published, bringing the total to 16 massage therapists from eight different spas in the Baltimore area.
All of Tucker’s alleged misconduct took place between 2012 and 2016. He was accused of exposing his genitals to massage therapists and making inappropriate sexual contact in some cases. His reputation reportedly proved so poor that he was banned from two spas, The Banner reported. Tucker and his lawyers strongly deny the claim.
“Five of the women said Tucker asked them to massage his pelvic region or inner thighs while he had an erection,” The Banner said in its initial report. “Then they said he repeatedly wiggled his pelvis to remove the sheets, which fully or partially exposed his genitals.
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“Two women said Tucker brushed them with his exposed penis. Three said, when they returned to the treatment room after Tucker left, they discovered a large wet spot on the massage table, which they strongly believed to be ejaculate.”
Tucker was never criminally charged for his alleged acts. Maryland’s statute of limitations expired, preventing him from being deemed criminally liable.
Despite not being charged, the NFL suspended Tucker for the first 10 games of the 2025 season.
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