The Kansas City Chiefs’ Week 1 opponent, the Cleveland Browns, don’t seem to have full faith in their starting kicker.
The Browns had a kicker battle between Cody Parkey and Chase McLaughlin this offseason. After placing Parkey on injured reserve during the cutdown from 85-80 players, McLaughlin was deemed the winner of the battle. However, some unfortunate kicking in the preseason finale seems to have Cleveland doubting their decision.
McLaughlin missed a field goal and badly shanked a PAT during preseason Week 3. That performance seems to have prompted the Browns to bring in several kickers for workouts. On Thursday, they worked out free agent kickers Matthew Wright, Tyler Rausa, Alex Kessman and Chris Naggar. Ultimately, they decided on signing Naggar to the practice squad.
Now, the Chiefs haven’t exactly had perfection from their kicker either this preseason. Harrison Butker did miss a PAT in preseason Week 1. He also missed a 62-yard field goal in Week 1, but only narrowly. Had it been from 60 yards, it would have been good. He’s been perfect since those two issues, however.
Going into a Week 1 grudge match with the team that knocked you out of the playoffs, it’s suboptimal to have doubts about your kicker. If the game between the Chiefs and Browns comes down to a long field goal, it seems like Kansas City will have the advantage. If it comes down to a PAT, it feels like it could be anyone’s game.
This is certainly a situation to monitor as we head into game week.
