RESOLVING THE LEDGER
This is one outlet's own report from Yahoo Sports — the article as it was filed. Other outlets are covering the same event; open the full story to compare every source side by side.
See the full story · 1 sources
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker just gave the NFL a reminder that kickers are getting ridiculously good, but one analyst’s reaction to the incredible kick may have been even more surprising.
Butker drilled a 69-yard field goal to close the first half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday, a kick that would have broken the NFL’s regular-season record if it had come in a regular-season game.
MORE: Predicting the AFC playoff teams ahead of the 2026-2027 NFL season
Butker just showed off an unbelievable leg
Aug 22, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker (7) celebrates after making a 69- yard field goal against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images Butker’s 69-yarder was an absolute bomb, and it came after he had already been perfect on his field-goal attempts during the preseason. The kick technically surpasses the current 68-yard regular-season record, but because Saturday’s game is a preseason contest, it will not count as an official NFL record.
For context, Butker’s previous career long was 62 yards, which he made against the Buffalo Bills in 2022. The Chiefs’ own records list that kick as the longest field goal in franchise history.
So instead of celebrating what should be viewed as an extraordinary display of kicking ability, NFL analyst Joe Schad suggested the league should actually make the goal posts narrower.
“Honestly, I do think the NFL competition committee should seriously consider slightly narrowing the goal posts.”
That take is difficult to understand.
MORE: 5 most improved NFL offenses entering 2026-2027 season
Don’t punish kickers for getting better
Aug 15, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs place kicker Harrison Butker (7) warms up against the Los Angeles Rams prior to a pre season at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images The argument for narrowing the goal posts would presumably be to prevent increasingly long field goals from becoming too easy. But Butker’s kick wasn’t easy. A 69-yard field goal is still an incredible feat that requires tremendous leg strength, accuracy and consistency.
And that’s the bigger point: the kickers have gotten better.
The NFL has seen a steady evolution in kicking, with players becoming more reliable from distances that were once considered nearly impossible. Butker himself has made two career field goals of 60-plus yards entering Saturday’s game, according to his NFL career statistics.
If kickers continue pushing the boundaries, perhaps the league should embrace it rather than immediately look for ways to make their jobs harder.
A 69-yard field goal should be celebrated, not treated as evidence that the goal posts need to be changed.
The NFL doesn’t need to narrow the goal posts because Harrison Butker just showed that 69 yards is within the realm of possibility.
It needs to appreciate just how ridiculous that is.
AIPROPX is an independent multi-source news index — we track, compare, and connect coverage from across the web into one place you won't find anywhere else.