The Kansas City Chiefs are trying to play prevent on special teams with kicker Harrison Butker this season. Safety Justin Reid gave a new explanation for why the Chiefs plan to use him as the kicker on kickoffs over Butker.
The Kansas City Chiefs plan to use Justin Reid as a kicker
As previously discussed on GH, special teams coordinator Dave Toub said he plans to keep Butker on the sideline during most of the Chiefs kickoffs this season due to the league’s new kickoff rules. Reid practiced as the Chiefs kicker during OTAs when Butker missed due to an illness:
Per Pete Sweeney with Arrowhead Pride, Reid kicked in place of Butker during their special teams period. Butker was one of three players who missed Tuesday’s practice.
Butker missed due to an illness. Thompson, who Butker rushed to get help for during his cardiac arrest, was not present Tuesday. Thompson has been released from the hospital. Offensive guard Joe Thuney was out due to his pec injury.
Reid believes his career will benefit from the switch
Per a transcription by Chiefs Wire of Reid’s comments on the Green Light with Chris Long podcast, Reid said he might have elongated his NFL career by transitioning to being a kicker on kickoffs:
“We might have added some time to my career. You might’ve extended my show a couple (of) years,” said Reid. “The earning window is huge with this. When I’m done being the starting guy on safety, I can turn into that rotational third safety and also be a kickoff specialist.”
Harrison Butker is happy to avoid the “devastating” scenario
The rule change appears to devalue kickers and could hurt the career-earning potential of Butker and other league kickers. Reid said Butker isn’t worried about missing out on kickoff duties. Butker is glad to avoid a troubling game-changing scenario:
“No –– we’re in a great place with it. Although I know he can make some tackles, I think that he’s excited to preserve himself, and we can use him where we really need him, which is in those fourth-quarter situations to go nail a 60-yard field goal and win the game,” said Reid. “It would be devastating to try and trot a guy out there who’s feeling nicked up from making a tackle in the second quarter.”
The Chiefs rely on Butker to put 3’s up on the board, not to preserve 6’s from being scored. The Chiefs’ new plan should help with field goals. It’ll be interesting to see how many other teams follow suit.
For More Football News:
Follow me on Twitter at @JordanSig. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at jordanmsigler@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in college and NFL news, click here!
