Full Breakdown
Chiefs Add Former Ravens All-Pro Kicker Justin Tucker to Practice Squad Amid Butker Struggles
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In this breakdown
01
Core Event
On October 25, 2026, the Kansas City Chiefs announced the signing of veteran kicker Justin Tucker to their practice squad. The move follows a series of missed field goals by incumbent kicker Harrison Butker, who entered the season with a career-low conversion rate. Tucker, 36, has not appeared in an NFL game since the 2024 season and becomes the first team to give him a roster spot after his 10-game suspension for violating the league’s personal-conduct policy.
02
Background & Context
Tucker spent 13 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, earning five All-Pro honors and a Super Bowl title in his rookie year. In January 2025, The Baltimore Banner reported that 16 massage therapists from eight Baltimore-area spas accused him of inappropriate sexual behavior during sessions that occurred between 2012 and 2016. Tucker called the allegations “unequivocally false” and denied any wrongdoing. The NFL suspended him for the first 10 games of the 2025 season (announced June 26, 2025) and released him on May 5, 2025. He served the suspension as a free agent and remained unsigned through the 2025 season.
Butker, a three-time Super Bowl champion, has struggled this year, missing five of 16 field-goal attempts and one extra point, a conversion rate of 68.8 % that ranks near the bottom of the league.
Visual evidence
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03
Data & Statistics
- Justin Tucker career FG%: 89.1 % (second-best in NFL history).
- 2024 season: 22-of-30 field goals (73.3 %); career low.
- Harrison Butker 2026: 11-of-16 field goals (68.8 %); missed 5 field goals and 1 PAT since the start of the season.
- Practice-squad competition: Chiefs worked out three kickers—Tucker, former Rams kicker Harrison Mevis, and Ben Sauls—before selecting Tucker.
04
Official Statements & Responses
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid emphasized that the team completed extensive vetting before signing Tucker.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes downplayed any lingering tension, stating that there was no “beef” between him and Tucker and that the focus remains on winning games.
05
Criticism & Opposition
The signing has drawn criticism from some fans and former players. The criticism reflects broader debate over the team’s willingness to give second chances to players with controversial histories.
06
Verbatim Quotes
- “He’s done his suspension, took care of that business there,” — Andy Reid, Chiefs coach
- “It wasn't like we had any beef that moment,” — Patrick Mahomes
- “I'm not going to get into all of that,” — Andy Reid, Chiefs coach
- “I try to do homework on it, see exactly what's taken place since and — but you know, I mean, the kid, he served a suspension. It's been time. There's been time involved with it,” — Andy Reid, Chiefs coach
07
What’s Next
The Chiefs’ next scheduled game is an AFC West matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday. While Tucker will practice with the special-teams unit, Reid indicated that Butker will remain the active kicker for the upcoming contest, with Tucker serving as insurance and competition. The outcome of the Broncos game will provide the first real test of whether the Chiefs’ gamble on a former All-Pro can help stabilize a faltering kicking game.