Reid Defends Chiefs’ Tucker Signing, Says Butker Must Improve
WHO:
The Baltimore Banner - Justin Tucker was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection during his 13 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens.
The Baltimore Banner - Tucker was the Ravens’ longest-tenured player when released and the last player remaining from the team’s 2012 Super Bowl-winning roster.
The Baltimore Banner - Ravens kicker Tyler Loop was drafted as Justin Tucker’s likely replacement.
The Baltimore Banner - Sixteen massage therapists accused Tucker of sexually inappropriate behavior; the allegations included exposing his genitals, having an erection during massage sessions, leaving ejaculate on tables, and touching two therapists with his penis.
The Baltimore Banner - Tucker denied wrongdoing, calling the allegations “unequivocally false” and The Banner’s reporting “desperate tabloid fodder.” He said, “I maintain I did not act inappropriately at any point before, during, or after a professional bodywork treatment session, nor have I ever been told I am unwelcome at any massage therapy provider.”
Sportskeeda - Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid discussed kicker Harrison Butker after the team signed veteran kicker Justin Tucker.
Sportskeeda - The Chiefs signed Justin Tucker amid Harrison Butker’s kicking struggles.
US Magazine - The Chiefs signed kicker Justin Tucker to their practice squad amid Harrison Butker’s continued struggles.
US Magazine - Tucker, 36, had been accused of inappropriate behavior by 16 massage therapists in the Baltimore area.
Sportskeeda - An NFL podcaster criticized what the podcaster described as bias in the Chiefs’ signing of Tucker, saying, “Colin Kaepernick was never given a 2nd chance.”
WHAT:
The Baltimore Banner - Tucker had not played since January 2025.
The Baltimore Banner - Tucker worked out for several teams during the season before the Chiefs signed him.
The Baltimore Banner - Tucker apologized to anyone who had felt disrespected, saying, “It devastates me to know that anyone I have worked with would not have felt respected and valued as a professional, but more importantly as a person, and to anyone who has felt otherwise, I am sorry.”
The Baltimore Banner - Tucker had three years remaining on a four-year, $24 million contract extension that made him the NFL’s highest-paid kicker at the time.
The Baltimore Banner - Tucker holds NFL records for career field-goal accuracy of 89.1% and the longest field goal in league history at the time of his 2025 release; Cameron Dicker later surpassed the accuracy record with 92.6%, and Cam Little later surpassed Tucker’s 66-yard record with a 68-yard kick.
The Baltimore Banner - Tucker appeared in ads for Royal Farms and the 2024 film “Kraven the Hunter,” and performed “Ave Maria” at the Baltimore Basilica.
The Baltimore Banner - Two massage therapists criticized Tucker’s return, with one saying, “Sad day for all of the victims,” and another saying, “Women in my profession, and every profession, deserve better.”
The Baltimore Banner - Harrison Butker had made 11 of 16 field-goal attempts, a 68.8% success rate described as a career low.
The Baltimore Banner - Butker missed two field goals in Kansas City’s 20-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
The Baltimore Banner - Reid said Butker would likely be the only kicker activated for the game against Denver.
The Baltimore Banner - Tucker’s suspension followed an NFL finding that he violated the personal conduct policy; none of the women quoted by The Banner said they reported the allegations to law enforcement or filed suit against him.
The Baltimore Banner - Tucker’s attorneys, Thomas A. Clare and Steven J. Harrison, denied that he had been banned from spas and rejected the allegations.
Sportskeeda - Reid said of Butker, “He gets that he needs to pick it up.”
NY Post - Reid was vague when asked about the “homework” he did on Tucker during his Wednesday media availability.
Newsweek - Reid explained the team’s thought process behind signing Tucker.
Heavy NFL - The Chiefs brought in competition for Butker and signed Tucker to their practice squad.
Sportskeeda - The Chiefs’ signing of Tucker faced backlash from fans and analysts.
Sportskeeda - Tucker had not played in the league since 2024.
US Magazine - Tucker served a 10-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy following allegations of sexual misconduct.
Heavy NFL - The article said Butker and Tucker were not the same caliber of players they had been previously.
WHERE:
The Baltimore Banner - The allegations involved four high-end spas and wellness centers in the Baltimore region.
US Magazine - The allegations against Tucker involved massage therapists in the Baltimore area.
WHEN:
The Baltimore Banner - The allegations reported by The Banner concerned conduct between 2012 and 2016.
The Baltimore Banner - Tucker was released by the Ravens in May 2025.
WHY:
The Baltimore Banner - The Ravens described Tucker’s release as “a football decision.”
Heavy NFL - The Chiefs signed Tucker to add competition for Butker amid Butker’s struggles.
US Magazine - Tucker’s signing came after he served a suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
HOW:
The Baltimore Banner - The NFL reinstated Tucker’s eligibility after he served his suspension as a free agent.
Heavy NFL - The Chiefs added Tucker by signing him to their practice squad.
The Kansas City Chiefs have signed Justin Tucker to their practice squad to compete with struggling kicker Harrison Butker, who has made 11 of 16 field goals this season. Tucker, a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and the Ravens’ longest-tenured player before his release, had not played since 2025 and recently served a 10-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Sixteen massage therapists accused Tucker of sexual misconduct during sessions at Baltimore-area spas; Tucker denied wrongdoing, called the allegations false, and apologized to anyone who felt disrespected.