When the reigning Super Bowl Champions come calling for your services. It is too difficult for any player to reject, no matter what the offer is on the table. And one of those examples is the Chiefs’ latest kicker, Spencer Shrader. After gigs in South Florida and Notre Dame, Shrader finally got the opportunity to kick for the Jets and the Colts.

Although his stay in New York was short-lived, he went 2-for-2 while earning praise from their special teams coach, Brant Boyer. Boyer, who called him a ‘special talent,’ ended up joining the Chiefs soon after. Even though the Jets offered him a position in their 53-man roster, Shrader decided to leave for Kansas City.

Well, his new chapter in Chiefs Kingdom is off to a great start. As Shrader shared his first impression of the Champions, “Yeah, so I got obviously poached off the Jets practice squad and had been with the Chiefs for a little while now, and it’s an awesome process so far.” He went on to speak about the utmost professionalism shown by the Chiefs’ onboarding program, “You can really tell the professionalism of the program and how quickly they operate. How do they get you on-site in just the setup they have for you, the hotel, the food and everything.”

While Shrader’s first look at the Chiefs’ facilities impressed him, Andy Reid also had strong words for his new kicker: “We brought in Spencer Shrader to come in and do the kicking. He’s a young guy, so his resume isn’t long, but the ones he’s had, he’s done a nice job with.” Reid even spilled the features that led to the Chiefs putting their hat toward Shrader. “He’s got a very strong leg. And he’s done well. They used him and elevated him at the Jets. They had a couple kickers there, and obviously, they favored him.”

However, Reid didn’t only talk about Shrader while he was at it. As he went on to express his thoughts about Harrison Butker, who is placed on the injury reserves.

Spencer Shrader ready to steer the ship until Harrison Butker returns

Chiefs long-time kicker Harrison Butker had to undergo knee surgery for trimming his meniscus. This meant the Chiefs would be missing out on their kicker for at least four weeks. His two field goals against the Broncos in week 10 helped the Chiefs maintain their unbeaten record. Although it’s now snapped by the Bills, Butker’s importance cannot be questioned.

Over the 20 field goal attempts he has taken this season, Butker scored 18 of them. He also holds 21 of 22 extra points that have often proved to be handy for the Chiefs. So when it came to giving Butker his flowers, Reid didn’t mince his words praising the kicker, “He’s done phenomenal. He’s a great kicker. I mean, arguably going to be a Hall of Fame kicker going forward. It’s great.” 

Taking on the Bills, Shrader didn’t have the opportunity to kick as the Chiefs failed to maintain their winning run. However, they will surely get a field-goal attempt soon, within the next week or so. That would be a chance for us to see how well Shrader can handle the pressure of kicking for the Champions.

Now that the season is entering its later stages, each point matters. And failing to convert one opportunity could very well alter the course of a game.