Harrison Butker showcased remarkable skill during the preseason match between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He attempted a 69-yard field goal right before halftime, successfully converting it to give the Chiefs a 9-0 lead. This kick, had it occurred in an official regular-season game, would have broken the NFL record for the longest field goal, currently held by Cam Little with a 68-yard kick.
Butker’s achievement was met with celebration from quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the whole team. Despite this feat, Butker missed crucial kicks later, including an extra point and a potential game-winning 43-yard attempt. These misses contributed to the Chiefs’ narrow 16-15 loss to the Buccaneers.
After the game, Butker expressed dissatisfaction, saying, “You’ve got to make your kicks. Miss an extra point, miss a game-winner. That’s what I care about, not the 69-yarder.” Reflecting on the 43-yard attempt, he noted, “I feel like mentally I was good on that 43-yarder. It felt good off my foot. Maybe I need some more caffeine for the second half or something.”
A penalty on the Chiefs led to a nullified extra-point attempt, which subsequently hit the upright on the retry. Coach Andy Reid praised Butker’s overall performance, stating, “Butker, until the last field goal, had a heck of a day. But he’ll be the first to tell you that’s the one he’ll remember. He’ll learn from it and move on.”
The Chiefs will play their final preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks. With the regular season approaching, Butker aims to refine his skills and maintain consistency in his kicking.