Harrison Butker of Kansas City Chiefs speaking to reporters.Harrison Butker (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
The Kansas City Chiefs have made a surprise decision on how they’ll utilize kicker Harrison Butker for the upcoming 2024 season.

Earlier this offseason, Kansas City Chiefs coaches revealed they were considering using safety Justin Reid for kickoffs following the NFL’s rule changes. The thinking was that Reid would be a better open-field tackler than Harrison Butker, and that the latter would greatly reduce his risk of injuries without tackling on kickoffs.

But Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave revealed to Jesse Newell of The Kansas City Star that they won’t make a change at the kickoff spot after all. The defending champions decided that Butker is their best guy in that spot, Toub explained.

“Butker’s going to be our main kickoff guy. I mean, hands down,” Toub said. “Because he can move the ball and do a lot of different things. He’s our most talented kickoff guy.”

The NFL changed its kickoff rules as a way to encourage more returns. One of the adjustments includes a rule where if the kickoff team sends the ball into or past the end zone for a touchback, the receiving team will get the ball on their 30-yard line. Previously, they would get the ball at the 25-yard line.

The 29-year-old Harrison Butker is coming off his best statistical season in which he made 94.3 percent of field goal attempts and 100 percent of his extra points (38 for 38). Butker also made all 11 kicks in the postseason and was a perfect 8-for-8 on extra points, helping the Chiefs to their second straight Super Bowl title.

Harrison Butker & Chiefs Aim For Three-Peat

The Chiefs became the first team to win consecutive Super Bowls since the 2003 and ’04 New England Patriots. Up next, Butker and company will try and become the first team to win three straight Super Bowls.

Kansas City will kick off their bid for a Super Bowl three-peat when they host reigning MVP Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL Kickoff Game on Sept. 5.

VIDEO: Wide Receiver Kadarius Toney Spotted Practicing At An Entirely New Position During Chiefs Training Camp

Kadarius Toney at practice with Chiefs playersKadarius Toney at practice with Chiefs players (Photo via ByPJGreen/Twitter)
Throughout his three-year NFL career, Kadarius Toney has been known as a player who will drop passes and often times be injured.

In year two of his career, the New York Giants traded him to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Since arriving in Kansas City, Toney has continued to struggle with injuries and dropping timely catches.

The Chiefs had high hopes for Kadarius Toney heading into the 2023 season, but he would drop a huge potential catch in the season-opening loss to the Lions, and it proved to be a sign of things to come.

It appears the team has other things in mind for him.

Toney, who was inactive for the last seven games of the season, is now working on running back drills in early practices at the Chiefs training camp, along with taking reps at wide receiver.

Head coach Andy Reid added nothing of substance when asked about the situation, stating, “He worked today,” Reid said via SI.com. “He did a good job when he was in there, and we’ll see. Just like the other guys, he’s out there competing. We’ll see how he does.”

According to Pro Football Focus, this isn’t the biggest shock to Kadarius Toney, as he has lined up in the backfield 25 times during his NFL career.

Before the NFL, he lined up as either a running back or as an option quarterback 67 times during his four-year collegiate career.

As of right now, he currently has 21 carries for 119 yards and a touchdown in the NFL. If it stops him from dropping passes, then this may be his future.

Kadarius Toney Desperately Needs A Good Showing During 2024 Season

Kadarius Toney is slowly starting to lose playing time in this league, especially with the Chiefs, who are trying to win a third-straight Super Bowl.

Tonye was inactive for seven games in 2023, and now that more talent is on the team, his playing time could diminish even further.

Showing he is reliable with his hands is the first thing he needs to do.

Otherwise, he will be on the outside looking in.