The Kansas City Chiefs enter the 2025 season with a familiar ace at kicker in Harrison Butker, whose ice-cold performance in clutch moments has long defined his role. But with Justin Reid moving on to the New Orleans Saints in the offseason, Kansas City has had to recalibrate its emergency-kicker plan. Reid’s departure opened a vacancy at a spot the franchise has managed without drama for years, prompting the Chiefs to turn to punter Matt Araiza as the next line of defense if Butker were to miss time.
Araiza has been clear about his readiness to answer the call. “Now with J. Reid gone, it should be me. I think it should’ve been me last year with my experience. The biggest thing is finding a holder who can hold lefty….” The veteran punter emphasized the practical hurdle of backing up a kicker: the holder’s handedness can be a deciding factor in how smoothly a field-goal operation runs.
The move is consistent with a broader NFL reality: teams often lean on a punter as an emergency kicker, especially when the preferred long snapper or holder options are thin or specialized. Kansas City has clearly signaled it trusts Araiza to handle the role if needed, while continuing to monitor the durability and reliability of their primary weapon, Butker, who remains the centerpiece when the pressure is highest.
Key takeaways:
– Harrison Butker remains the Chiefs’ trusted kicker, with a track record of delivering in high-stakes moments.
– Justin Reid’s departure to the Saints has prompted the Chiefs to designate Matt Araiza as their emergency kicking option.
– Araiza publicly expressed confidence in stepping in and highlighted the importance of a suitable left-handed holder to ensure a smooth operation.
– The situation underscores the importance of contingency planning for kicking duties, a common but often overlooked aspect of NFL special-teams strategy.
Summary: Kansas City’s emergency-kicker plan now centers on Matt Araiza, backed by the reality that a left-handed holder is a specific requirement for success in a pinch. The arrangement keeps the spotlight on Butker as the reliable, long-term asset while ensuring the team has a credible fallback if needed.
Additional context: If the Chiefs face a scenario where Butker cannot play, Araiza’s versatility and the organization’s comfort with a non-traditional setup could prove valuable, especially in late-season games where every point matters and the margin for error is slim. The situation will be one to watch through the 2025 season as Kansas City balances tradition with adaptive depth on special teams.