The emergency kicker role for the Kansas City Chiefs was confirmed last season as starting safety Justin Reid filled in adequately. Reid converted an extra point attempt during Week 1 of the 2022 season following Harrison Butker’s ankle injury.
Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub hasn’t shied away from plugging in different players when needed in special teams roles. He mentioned last week the prospect of having Patrick Mahomes as the emergency punter and is behind Reid as the backup in-game placekicker. During his weekly press conference, Toub commented on Reid’s long-term future as a professional kicker while filling in for an ill Butker at practice on Thursday.
“If we knew that (Butker) was going to be out, we want another kicker,” said Toub. “I’d feel comfortable that Justin can come in, but we want a real kicker. He’s good enough to get us through a game. He can make an extra point and has good range (on field goals).”
And the kick is good from…@Chiefs safety @JustinqReid ‼️
📺: #KCvsCHI on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/3mvoWh7UD3 pic.twitter.com/6NhoFJ2U9G— NFL (@NFL) August 13, 2022
Toub was immediately asked if Reid had a future as an NFL kicker later in his football career.
“If he wanted to be a kicker at the NFL level, I don’t think he could do it,” Toub said with a smile. “I love him. I love him, but he will understand why I’m saying that. He’s a good safety.”
Reid will have to settle for being one of the top players in the Chiefs’ secondary. Getting his thoughts on Toub’s assessment would be interesting.