THE APEX TIMES
Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker connects on a 69-yard field goal, one yard shy of an NFL preseason mark
Butker’s kick, drilled straight through the uprights during Chiefs preseason work, fell short of the longest preseason field goal referenced from last year’s Jaguars game.
Harrison Butker put his leg on display for the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday by drilling a 69-yard field goal, a distance that drew immediate comparison to the NFL’s longest preseason field goals. The key distinction, according to the report, is that the make was not long enough to become a league record.
The yardage matters in the preseason because it is one of the few ways coaches and personnel staffs can evaluate a kicker’s ceiling in a game-like setting. Unlike shorter attempts, long-range kicks test both mechanics and confidence when the kick is forced to carry through wind and pressure. This one, as described, was hit with enough accuracy to stay “right down the middle.”
The reference point for that ceiling was the year-ago preseason mark associated with Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Cam Little. The report notes that Little hit a 70-yard field goal in the preseason, and Butker’s 69-yard attempt came one yard shy of matching that distance.
That context underscores how uncommon these attempts are. A single-yard difference at that range is essentially the difference between a record-tying kick and a highlight that still lands short of the benchmark. For Butker, it adds to the visibility of his strongest trait, the ability to generate power on far attempts.
Still, the NFL record question can depend on what category is being compared (distance-only, preseason-only, or other official record groupings). The report is specific that Butker’s kick was not an NFL record, but it frames the comparison through the preseason distance mark it discussed. That means the conversation is likely about measured preseason distance rather than a broader historical ledger covering different kick situations.
For Kansas City, the takeaway is less about one kick rewriting the NFL record book and more about process. Long field goals are a stress test for holding, snap protection, and the timing of the kick. A clean strike like the one described can support the internal case that the kicking unit is operating with the right rhythm entering the deeper preseason weeks.
What to watch next is how the Chiefs manage their kicker reps as the preseason progresses. If Kansas City continues to present long- and mid-range attempts, the team will be able to judge consistency across a wider set of conditions, not just one standout make.
For Jacksonville, the comparison also serves as a reminder that preseason kicking booms can arrive quickly. Cam Little’s referenced 70-yard kick is being used here as a yardstick, and if the Jaguars’ special teams staff is maintaining the same approach to leg strength, the team could again target long-range opportunities in later exhibition games.
Why It Matters
- For NFL teams, long field goals in the preseason are a direct window into a kicker’s leg strength and accuracy under game timing.
- A one-yard gap from a distance mark highlights how quickly records can be missed even when the kick is clean.
- The Chiefs can use the rep to reinforce confidence in the kicking unit’s mechanics and protection timing before the regular season.
- The Jaguars’ referenced preseason kick becomes a yardstick for what teams might try (or what they might fear) when they see elite leg strength in exhibition games.
Sources
Key Facts
- Harrison Butker drilled a 69-yard field goal for the Kansas City Chiefs in preseason action.
- The report describes the kick as being hit “right down the middle,” indicating accuracy through the uprights.
- The story notes that Butker’s 69-yard attempt was not an NFL record.
- The comparison point provided is Cam Little’s 70-yard preseason field goal for the Jacksonville Jaguars a year earlier.
- The report frames the difference as one yard short of tying the mentioned preseason distance benchmark.