The Kansas City Chiefs are parting ways with a special teams player who had a big offseason. The move comes as the Chiefs added a linebacker to their 90-man roster before training camp starts next month.
Special teams were a major focus of the Chiefs during OTAs. At the punter position, the Chiefs have been entertaining a punting battle between Matt Araiza and undrafted free agent Ryan Rehkow for the right to replace Tommy Townsend.
The Kansas City Chiefs are experimenting on special teams
As previously discussed on GH, the Chiefs are working with safety Justin Reid to take Harrison Butker’s gig as the main kicker on kickoffs:
Toub said Butker could be benched during the majority of the Chiefs’ kickoffs this season. Because of the NFL’s new kickoff rules, Toub wants to put another player on the field to make a tackle. He doesn’t want Butker making too many tackles during the season.
“If you watched the XFL, I watched every play,” Toub said. “I bet kickers were involved at least 25 percent to 40 percent of the tackles, either trying to make a guy bounce back or making the tackle or missing the tackle. We don’t want Butker in that situation.”
Reid worked as a kicker during a special teams period earlier this week when Butker missed practice due to illness.
Harrison Butker was involved in a decision to cut a player
Butker was reportedly involved in the Chiefs’ decision on Thursday. According to Matt Derrick with Chiefs Digest, the Chiefs released punter Ryan Rehkow on Thursday. With Rehkow’s spot open, they signed defensive lineman Alex Gubner.
Rehkow had been having a big offseason at practice with the Chiefs. Many thought the BYU standout had a chance to make the 53-man roster during training camp.
Per Chiefs Hive, special teams coordinator Dave Toub praised Rehkow and Araiza in May:
“Both these guys are really good. Matt is a lefty and Ryan is a righty and they’re both excellent. They’re both NFL punters. It’s a real close battle right now.”
NFL fans’ initial reaction to the roster move
Here are the top posts on social media following the Chiefs cutting Rehkow and signing Gubner.
Let’s go!!
😁😁😁— Robert Miller (@MillerLight19) June 13, 2024
Let’s go!!
😁😁😁— Robert Miller (@MillerLight19) June 13, 2024
And Who? pic.twitter.com/0bmfaInIOO
— Chiefs@15 (@AdamSchneg) June 13, 2024
Happy for the Chiefs. Happy for Matt.
— kkeller (@kkeller) June 13, 2024
Lfg!! Go get em Gubner! Griz nation is pulling for you!
— Brad (@thegrizfaithful) June 13, 2024
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15 Comments
We get it! You hate Butker. Your article is clickbait because they have no substance otherwise. Butker is no more benched than Mahomes is benched during defensive play on the field. It’s a positional play and punters are often the guys doing kickoff. Pat McAfee was a punter who did they kickoff for the Colts. Also, where is your source citing a quote that Butker had anything to do with the decision? Seems more like a leftist hating a conservative. You’re a hack!
So true!
Why does everything turn into a political issue? So the kicker is conservative. It doesn’t mean everyone else is a liar on the left. Chill. Its a freaking pre-season decision that is probably a trial anyway. And if they give him a chance and he does good, that will be why he is on the team. Stop the insanity! Make it make sense…
Frankly, I am from Denver and always felt sorry for the chiefs when they were so bad. If they shine now, super. Its great seeing them win now. No thanks to the political agenda of Andy Reid and the rest of the decision makers on the team.
Amen. Couldn’t have said it better.
I ❤️ the chiefs. Especially Travis Kelce.
This is a WOKE THI G again.. forcing studip issues his comments were as always mistaken.. rules have also changed.. he wouldn’t be in this position if people just respect others options and life styles..
You’re studip!
Agree 100%.
Kc is like a soap opera seeing whos better and got more fame over the years good things dont last forever watch
Butler’s judgenent is flawed, based on what comes out of his mouth.
I wouldn’t ask his opinion on ANYTHING!
My thoughts exactly.
I have 4 daughters and feel that butker should have been let go due to the speech he gave.He would be able to go play with the right wing nutjobs.
That’s strange. I agreed with everything he said. Your obviously not a good Catholic .
😂🤣😅😅🤣😂😂😂😅😆 Butt Ker.
50-60 years ago Buther’s comments wouldn’t caused much of stir.
Because they were the truth, since when does time change the truth?
True is true is true, time doesn’t change that.
Your feelings, much as your opinions, may change as you experience life. But truth is a constant.