Harrison Butker already had another kicker to worry about in the building, which means missing a chance to give Kansas City some fourth-quarter breathing room did little to quiet the conversation about his job.

The Chiefs’ veteran pushed a 54-yard field goal wide right against Denver, which promptly turned a three-point deficit into a lead. After Kansas City lost 28-24, Shannon Sharpe and several NFL reporters wondered whether Butker would get another opportunity.

Shannon Sharpe Questions Harrison Butker’s Chiefs Future

Sharpe’s prediction was blunt.

“Butker is about to be unemployed. Hasn’t been the same in a couple of yrs. Wonder what happened? 🤔🤔🤔”the Hall of Famer wrote.

The miss came with Kansas City leading 24-21. Denver scored a touchdown two plays later, and the Chiefs’ final possession failed to produce an answer.

One fan account acknowledged Butker’s history with the franchise while arguing that Sunday’s miss was difficult to excuse.

“Butker is fried, man. That [expletive] wasn’t even close. I am sorry…I really appreciate what he has done over the years for this franchise, but in that situation? That’s horrible,”the Arrowhead Live account wrote.

Former NFL offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz needed fewer words. “And he missed it. What a disaster,”Schwartz wrote.

Chiefs reporter Matt Derrick described the attempt and immediately raised the next selection decision.

“Looked like Harrison Butker hit that 54-yard FG straight, but he pushed it wide right from the start. Will it be Butker or Justin Tucker kicking next week against the New York Jets?”Derrick wrote.

Kansas City had already signed Tucker to its practice squad before the Denver game. That made speculation about a change considerably more immediate than the usual demands to bring someone in for a workout.

Justin Tucker’s Presence Raises Stakes After Another Butker Miss

Washington Post NFL reporter Mark Maske also connected Sunday’s result with the Chiefs’ recent addition.

“There is room to wonder whether this miss by Harrison Butker will prompt the Chiefs to make a change at kicker this week, after they signed Justin Tucker to their practice squad last week,”Maske wrote.

NFL insider James Palmer reported that Tucker had delivered “what I’m told was an outstanding tryout,” adding, “Butker went 1/2 and missed a crucial kick late,”in his assessment.

Others focused on technique.

“In case anyone is wondering, Butker missed EXACTLY where his plant foot was pointing,”one fan wrote, concluding, “We have a serious problem.”

Butker’s struggles had already promptedcriticism after Kansas City’s loss in Seattle. Through seven games, he has converted 12 of 18 field goals, including two of seven from at least 50 yards.

His updatedPFN Kicker Impact ranking places him 29th with a 58.1 grade.

The Chiefs surrendered an 11-point fourth-quarter lead, so the defeat involved plenty beyond one kick. But Butker had a clear opportunity to extend the advantage and missed it.

With Tucker already practicing in Kansas City, the decision before the Jets game now comes with a ready alternative.