The Kansas City Chiefs were dealt a blow on Thursday when they placed kicker Harrison Butker on injured reserve with a knee injury. They quickly replaced him by signing Spencer Shrader off of the New York Jets practice squad, and it sounds like they had competition for his services.
Butker has once again been one of the top kickers in the league this season, as he’s made 18 of his 20 field goal attempts and 21 of his 22 extra point attempts. Losing him hurts, and turning to the unproven Shrader, who has only played in two NFL games, is a bit of a risk.
The Jets, who have dealt with their own kicker woes all season long, used Shrader as their kicker in their Week 10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Shrader reverted back to the practice squad after the game, and while New York offered him a spot on their 53-man roster amid Kansas City’s interest, he opted to sign with the Chiefs instead.
“The Jets, in an attempt to keep Shrader, did offer him a spot on the 53,” ESPN’s Rich Cimini reported after the move was announced. “He opted to go kick for an undefeated team, which is understandable. 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 Carlson on Sunday.”
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. 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…
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) November 14, 2024
While this move is a bit of a risk for the Chiefs, it’s also a risk for Shrader. He could have landed a full-time gig with the Jets, whereas his time with Kansas City will likely be limited to whenever Butker returns. That didn’t stop him from leaving New York in the dust, though, as he made the jump out west to KC.
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker
© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Shrader will immediately get thrown into the fire, as the Chiefs will be taking on the Buffalo Bills in a huge Week 11 matchup, meaning he could have some pressure-packed kicks coming his way in just a few days. Kickoff for the contest is currently scheduled for 4:25 P.M. EST on Sunday, Nov. 17th.
