Butker’s 69-Yard Kick Overshadowed by Late Miss as Buccaneers Rally Past Chiefs.

TAMPA, Fla. — Harrison Butker delivered one of the most impressive kicks of the preseason Saturday night, but his performance ended with two costly misses as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rallied for a 16-15 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. Butker connected on three field goals in the first half, including a 69-yarder as time expired before halftime. The long-distance kick helped Kansas City take a 9-0 lead into the break. The Chiefs kicker, however, struggled after halftime. A penalty wiped out a successful extra point following Emmett Johnson’s 1-yard touchdown run, and Butker missed the ensuing attempt off the right upright. He later had a chance to give Kansas City the lead with a 43-yard field goal but missed the potential game-winner. “I care about making the kicks,” Butker said afterward. “Not the 69-yarder or whatever it was.” While Kansas City’s offense struggled to find the end zone consistently, Tampa Bay found its rhythm in the second half behind rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels. Daniels guided three scoring drives after taking over at quarterback. He connected with Ko Kieft on a 2-yard touchdown pass, while Sean Tucker added a 1-yard rushing touchdown. B.T. Potter also converted a 46-yard field goal to complete the comeback. The Buccaneers entered halftime trailing by nine points before Daniels helped erase the deficit and put Tampa Bay ahead late. Daniels finished 9-of-14 passing for 71 yards and a touchdown. The undrafted rookie from Kansas took over after Jake Browning, who started in relief of Baker Mayfield, completed 9 of 12 passes for 84 yards. Mayfield made his first preseason appearance since 2024 and played two series. He completed 2 of 4 passes for 10 yards before giving way to Browning late in the first quarter.

Kansas City rested Patrick Mahomes, allowing Justin Fields to start at quarterback. Fields played into the second quarter before rookie Garrett Nussmeier took over. Fields led the drive that resulted in Butker’s first field goal, while Nussmeier helped set up a 58-yard kick. Butker then added his 69-yard field goal after Tampa Bay turned the ball over at the Kansas City 49-yard line with three seconds remaining in the first half. Despite Butker’s late struggles, Chiefs coach Andy Reid remained supportive of his veteran kicker. “Butker, until the last field goal, had a heck of a day,” Reid said. “He’ll learn from it and move on.” The Chiefs will close the preseason next Friday at home against the Seattle Seahawks. Tampa Bay will travel to Jacksonville for joint practices with the Jaguars before its preseason finale Friday night.