Harrison Butker cements hero status for Chiefs with game-winner versus Bengals

There's a reason (or 10) why the Kansas City Chiefs handed another four-year commitment to Harrison Butker just a few weeks ago. Even though it costs them over $25 million to do so, there's no better way to invest that money for the sake of the franchise's success than to reward a specialist who has come through for the Chiefs again and again (and again) over the years.

On Sunday afternoon, the Chiefs sent the Bengals home with a last-second loss in a nail-biter of a Week 2 contest. ln the final seconds, the Chiefs had the ball and looked conservative hovering around mid-field. For other teams, the scenario would have felt different, but the Chiefs could carry themselves with confidence because they knew they had Butker to lean on.

Harrison Butker's hero status is unquestionable at this point given how many times he's come through for the Chiefs.

Against the Bengals, Butker came up as time expired to attempt a 51-yard field goal. And instead of fretting about the team's inability to get closer, most of Chiefs Kingdom likely felt at ease at that distance knowing that Butker could do this:

Butker has been a model of consistency at the position since he first arrived in Kansas City back in 2017. One of Brett Veach's most successful moves ever was finding Butker on the practice squad of the Carolina Panthers early in the regular season. He scooped him up when Cairo Santos was unable to go with a groin injury and Butker never relinquished his hold on the job.

For the last seven-plus seasons, Butker hs delivered time and time again when the Chiefs needed it most. He's also the ideal blend of accuracy and power at the kicker position, giving the team an incredible range from which they can call upon him while knowing he will also be automatic from shorter distances.

Butker came into this season with a career accuracy mark of 89 percent, second all-time only to Justin Tucker of the Baltimore Ravens. Last year, he upped that mark to 94 percent and even made every attempt from 50 yards or more.

While other teams suffer through an annual rollercoaster at the position, the Chiefs can rest assured that they employ one of the NFL's best of his generation. Such a gift allows them to play it calm and cool even at the end of a highly-emotional game against a bitter conference rival like the Bengals. In fact, such moments aren't even nervous ones for Butker when he's done the same under the brightest lights possible. Remember this?