Chiefs Make Butker NFL’s Richest Kicker – The Kansas City Chiefs are taking care of their kicker with a golden leg, locking down Super Bowl-winning Harrison Butker for the long term.
The Chiefs and Butker have come to terms on a four-year, $25.6 million contract extension, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, according to sources with knowledge of the deal. Butker’s new contract includes $17.8 million in guaranteed money, per Rapoport.
The extension makes the 29-year-old the highest-paid kicker in the NFL, eclipsing Philadelphia Eagles Jake Elliott and Justin Tucker of the Baltimore Ravens $6 million-per-year average.
Butker confirmed in a post on his social media platform that he was finalizing a four-year extension.
“There’s no place I’d rather be than with the Chiefs, excited to finalize a 4-year extension,” he wrote. “To the Heights!”
Butker has been a stabilizing and lethal weapon since joining the organization in 2017, this generations Adam Vinatieri. He has been a massive piece in all three of the Chiefs Lombardi-lifting victories since 2020, including nailing a Super Bowl record-setting 57-yarder in the February win over the San Francisco 49ers.
In seven seasons with the Chiefs, Butker has near automatic, converting 89.1% of his field goal attempts and 94.5% of his point-after tries. His career-long of 62 yards came in 2022. In 19 postseason games, he has hit 88.9% of 36 field goal attempts and 95.4% of 65 PATs.
Things have not always come up roses off the field for Butker. Earlier this offseason, he found himself in hot water socially, with a controversial commencement speech at Benedictine College, a private Catholic liberal arts school in Kansas. Butker, who has made his conservative stances known, said the majority of the women walking across the stage and graduating were probably more enthusiastic about getting married and having children. He also heavily criticized Pride Month, which is celebrated in June and President Joe Biden’s stance on abortion.
After the speech, Chief coach Andy Reid downplayed the controversy, saying, in part, “we all respect each other’s opinions and not necessarily do we go by those, but we respect everybody to have a voice.”
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Vikings WR Addison Formally Charged with DUI – Former USC Trojans standout wide receiver Jordan Addison is facing the distinct possibility of a significant multi-game suspension following a DUI incident last month. Addison was found asleep behind the wheel of a vehicle at Los Angeles International Airport and was arrested under the suspicion of driving under the influence.
He has been charged with a pair of misdemeanors and is now waiting on pins and needles to find out sever the punishment from the NFL will be. Addison had a blood alcohol level that exceeded the legal limit of .08 percent. His court arraignment is set for October 7.
Because of his negligent actions, Addison is likely to face at least a three-game suspension from the NFL. Under the league’s substance abuse policy, Addison’s penalty could be raised based on a few mitigating circumstances.
The number of games could be increased depending if there was any property damage or injury to people, if he had a BAC over 0.15, if any felonious conduct took place, or if Addison had prior incidents relating to drugs or alcohol.
Since none of this occurred, Addison is most likely to receive the minimum number of three games.
Addison was drafted in the first round by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2023 NFL Draft out of USC. The Vikings, as an organization, have been behind Addison all the way and very supportive since the incident took place.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell addressed the situation, stating that the organization cares about its players wellbeing both on the off the field.
“We care about these players, we really do, and we want to make sure we’re doing our part for development on the field,” O’Connell said. “The other aspect of that is off the field and the life skills, development, decision-making … that our players understand personal responsibility and accountability.”
If Addison only receives a slap on the wrist with a three-game suspension, it would greatly benefit the Vikings’ offensive attack. He was a crucial piece to how Minnesota ran things last season, hauling in 70 receptions for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Addison, paired alongside star wide receiver Justin Jefferson, are giving the Vikings one of the better tandems across the entire NFL. It was a breakout year for Addison as a rookie and the team moving on from this and is looking forward to his sophomore campaign.
Minnesota will have a new quarterback under center this season, either veteran Sam Darnold or rookie J.J. McCarthy out of Michigan, so having Addison around to build cohesiveness will be a major plus. The Vikings are looking to get back to the playoffs after missing last year and Addison will be a key contributor of that process.
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Rams WR Nacua (knee) Week-to-Week – Quarterback Matthew Stafford’ No. 1 target may be sidelined with an injury. But the Los Angeles Rams have plenty of time, just over a month, before their regular season debut. Still, hearing “week to week” on a star receiver’s knee injury is some cause for concern and the alarm bells to start ringing.
Record-setting receiver Puka Nacua is considered week to week with a knee injury although a source close to the situation told ESPN’s senior NFL insider Adam Schefter the injury is “not serious.” That is a bit of an odd statement and talking out of both sides of their mouths.
While the injury might not be serious enough to cost Nacua regular season action, using the term “week to week” is a little baffling to say the least. Especially when it comes to an injury with a player as dynamic and important as Nacua.
Nacua set rookie records last season with 105 receptions for 1,486 yards. He was a fifth-round pick in last year’s NFL Draft out of the University of Washington, but turned into a star right away, transforming the Rams’ offense, and helping the team reach the playoffs.
The good news is the Rams do not have to rush things; they have time on their side with almost five weeks before the opener. Hopefully it is the type of injury that can heal and not be a nagging issue even when Nacua makes his way back onto the gridiron. The Rams do not seem to be in panic mode; however, it is something to keep an eye on and manage through August.
