Per multiple reports, the Kansas City Chiefs are making Harrison Butker the highest-paid kicker in NFL history. Butker’s extension comes months after his controversial commencement speech at Benedictine College.
Harrison Butker had a controversial offseason
Butker used his platform at the commencement to tell the women graduates that they might be better off as housewives (even the nuns at the college found Butker’s message appalling). He also took shots at LGBTQ+ and Jewish demographics. Following Butker’s comments, some in the media were curious if the Chiefs might look to cut ties with Butker.
Could the ‘yips’ be coming for Butker?
Mike Florio with NBC Sports suggested the Chiefs could cut Butker if he has the yips this season, as Butker will have added pressure when he attempts kicks this season:
The Chiefs are treating the issue as no big deal because they don’t want Butker to be a big deal when football season rolls around. They want the situation to be forgotten. They want Butker to not be burdened by the blowback, or the blowback to the blowback.
We’ll see how it goes. Sometimes, it doesn’t take much for a kicker to get the yips. Blair Walsh, for example, missed a chip-shot field goal in the 2014 postseason and he was never the same.
If, for whatever reason, Butker suddenly can’t kick like he has in seven seasons with the Chiefs, he won’t be the Chiefs’ kicker for long.
Butker will be the kicker in Kansas City for a long time.
The Kansas City Chiefs reward their good and faithful servant
According to Ian Rapoport with the NFL Network, Butker represented himself before signing a four-year deal worth $25.6 million, of which $17.8 million is guaranteed. He will make $6.4 million per year. He’s on track to be the Chiefs kicker through the 2028 season.
Per Adam Schefter with ESPN, Butker is the highest-paid kicker in NFL history:
Harrison Butker had one year remaining on the five-year, $20.3 million deal that he signed in 2019 that was scheduled to pay him $3.945 million this season. Now he adds on four more years to become the highest-paid kicker in NFL history.
Since the commencement speech, Butker has continued to be outspoken about his political and religious beliefs. He recently commented on the opening ceremony at the Olympics.
The Chiefs didn’t have to give Butker a new contract until after the season. Frankly, they took a significant risk by extending Butker’s contract early. It’s fair to say the Chiefs front office has no worries about Butker succumbing to the yips.
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