Coach Andy Reid says the veteran kicker completed his NFL suspension and that the organization reviewed his background before making the decision
By Midtown Times Staff
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Midtown Times) — Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid is defending the team’s decision to sign veteran kicker Justin Tucker, whose return to the NFL follows sexual-misconduct allegations and a 10-game suspension.
The Chiefs officially added Tucker to their practice squad Wednesday, creating competition for longtime kicker Harrison Butker amid a prolonged stretch of missed field goals and extra points.
Tucker was accused by 16 massage therapists from eight Baltimore-area spas of inappropriate conduct during appointments reportedly occurring between 2012 and 2016. He has strongly denied the allegations.
No criminal charges or civil lawsuits were filed against Tucker. The NFL nevertheless suspended him for the first 10 games of the 2025 season after determining that he had violated its personal-conduct policy. Tucker accepted the discipline while continuing to deny wrongdoing.
Asked what message the signing could send to women who support the Chiefs, Reid pointed to the completion of Tucker’s suspension. The coach also said the organization conducted background research and spoke with multiple people before offering him a place on the practice squad.
Reid declined to explain the details of that review, saying only that sufficient time had passed and that Tucker had served the penalty imposed by the league.
The decision has drawn criticism from some fans and commentators who question whether completing a suspension adequately addresses the seriousness of the allegations. Others have characterized the move as an opportunity for a player who is eligible under NFL rules to resume his career.
The football reasoning behind the signing is tied to Butker’s recent performance. He missed two field-goal attempts during Kansas City’s 20-3 loss to Seattle and has missed 10 field goals and five extra points since the beginning of last season.
Reid said Butker’s technique has become inconsistent and acknowledged that the kicker must improve. However, Butker remains on the active roster and is expected to receive most of the practice repetitions ahead of the Chiefs’ game against Denver.
The coach described Tucker’s addition as insurance rather than an immediate change at the position. He said the situation remains fluid and that Butker understands the competitive nature of the NFL.
Tucker, 36, spent 13 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens and earned seven Pro Bowl selections and five first-team All-Pro honors. His 89.1% career field-goal rate ranks among the best in league history, although his performance declined during his final season in Baltimore.
In 2024, Tucker converted 22 of 30 field-goal attempts and missed two extra points, producing the lowest field-goal percentage of his career. The Ravens released him in May 2025.
The Chiefs’ decision gives Tucker his first NFL opportunity since his release and suspension, while placing additional pressure on Butker to reverse his recent struggles.
