Justin Tucker Smashes 66-Yard Game-Winning Field Goal—Inside the Record-Breaking Kick That Shocked the NFL

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In a surprise mid-season move, the Kansas City Chiefs have signed five-time All-Pro kicker Justin Tucker to their practice squad, giving the NFL’s most dynamic offense an insurance policy after incumbent Harrison Butker’s recent struggles. Why the Chiefs made the call • Butker has missed five of 16 field-goal tries this year, including two costly misfires in Sunday’s 27-24 loss to Seattle. • Kansas City ranks 28th in red-zone efficiency; securing three points when drives stall has become a priority. • Tucker owns the highest career field-goal percentage in league history (90.6%) and is 25-of-29 all-time from 50-plus yards. Tucker’s road back The 36-year-old has not played since 2024, when the NFL handed down a 10-game suspension for violating the league’s personal-conduct policy. Sixteen massage therapists in the Baltimore area accused him of sexual misconduct dating back to 2012-16; the Ravens released him in May 2025. Tucker completed mandatory counseling, was reinstated this spring and has since worked out for four teams, according to multiple league sources. What this means for Butker Head coach Andy Reid reiterated that Butker “remains our starter,” but bringing in the most accurate kicker ever puts real pressure on the 10-year veteran. The Chiefs can elevate Tucker up to three times without a full-roster move; each shaky Butker Sunday will fuel speculation that elevation No. 1 is near. Cap and roster ripple effects • Tucker receives the veteran practice-squad salary of $19,900 per week; Kansas City still has $3.2 million in cap space. • Long snapper James Winchester worked with Tucker at Texas; that familiarity could accelerate a potential promotion. • Special-teams coordinator Dave Toub now has the option of deploying tandem kickers: Butker for kickoffs, Tucker for precision field goals. Tucker’s statement “I’m grateful for a fresh start and understand the responsibility that comes with it,” Tucker said through his agent. “My focus is on earning trust in this locker room, this community, and the league as a whole.” Looking ahead Kansas City hosts the 5-2 Broncos in Week 8; elevation deadlines land at 4 p.m. ET Saturday. If Butker falters again or weather turns Arrowhead into a wind tunnel, Tucker could make his first NFL appearance in 721 days—this time in Chiefs red, not Ravens purple. Quick facts fans are Googling right now • Career game-winners: 19 • Longest field goal: 66 yards (NFL record) • Playoff accuracy: 89.7% (26 of 29) • Super Bowl rings: 1 (Ravens, 2012 season) Bottom line By adding the most accurate kicker of all time, the Chiefs both safeguard their Super Bowl hopes and thrust Justin Tucker back onto the NFL stage. Whether this comeback sticks now rests on two legs—Tucker’s and, indirectly, Butker’s.