The New York Jets reportedly tried to spoil the Kansas City Chiefs‘ plan for replacing their elite kicker Harrison Butker. While the Chiefs were able to sign Spencer Shrader off New York’s practice squad, the Jets made a final push to try and make sure he would not go to the last undefeated team in the NFL.
Jets Tried Stopping Spencer Shrader From Leaving
The Chiefs suffered a major blow to their special teams as they lost their clutch kicker for at least a month as Butler is headed to IR:
“Chiefs K Harrison Butker is expected to have surgery to trim his meniscus in his left knee, per source,” Rapoport posted on X. “That’s why he’s headed to IR, though he’ll be back for the home stretch and playoffs.”
Sources: Chiefs are signing kicker Spencer Shrader off the Jets practice squad and placing kicker Harrison Butker on injured reserve due to a knee injury. pic.twitter.com/4fmiBTvHaB
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 14, 2024
Shrader will fill the replacement role for what looks like 4 weeks of football. After the Chiefs play the Buffalo Bills this week, they will have an easier stretch of games for the last three that Butker will miss. After the star kicker undergoes surgery to trim his meniscus he will miss about 4 games in total, and should certainly be back for the end of the regular season and playoffs.
Shrader only played one game for the Jets before heading back to the practice squad, but the team reportedly tried to stop the Chiefs from getting him:
According to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, the Jets attempted to prevent the Chiefs from poaching Shrader, but the rookie kicker picked Kansas City over Gang Green.
“The Jets, in an attempt to keep Shrader, did offer him a spot on the 53. He opted to go kick for an undefeated team, which is understandable,” Cimini said. “However, it probably will be only a 4-game gig in KC (until Butker returns). If he had stayed with the Jets, it might have turned into something longer. So they will go with [Anders] Carlson on Sunday. #Jets.”
Butler will be a huge missing piece for the Chiefs who always rely on him to get points, and the offense has not been scoring well. Butker only missed 2 out of 20 tries and only a single missed extra point. Butker was crucial in last week’s win against Denver making all three of his field goals which was the deciding factor in their 2-point victory.
Shrader will now be thrust into a crucial situation as they play the other best record in the AFC in the Bills. While the Chiefs have always handled the Bills in the playoffs, Buffalo has gotten the best of them in the regular season. We will have to wait and see how the game plays out, but it just makes sense that it will come down to the leg of Shrader.
Related: Kansas City Chiefs Name Harrison Butker’s Replacement After Losing Kicker
