Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker has secured a contract extension just ahead of the 2024 NFL season. This new four-year, $25.6 million deal, with $17.8 million guaranteed, now makes Butker the highest-paid kicker in NFL history.

Butker’s career with the Chiefs has been marked by consistency. Over seven seasons, he has successfully kicked 197 field goals out of 221 attempts, achieving an impressive 89.1% conversion rate. Notably, he has hit 28 out of 40 attempts from distances over 50 yards. In postseason play, his reliability has continued, converting 32 out of 36 field goal attempts and 62 out of 65 extra point attempts.

Despite facing public scrutiny earlier this year for controversial comments made during a graduation speech at Benedictine College, Butker’s on-field performance remains undeniable. His ability to deliver under pressure has been instrumental in the Chiefs’ success, leading to his new contract extension.

The Chiefs kicker was elated to sign a new deal with the team, saying there was no one else he’d rather play for. However, as divisive as Butker has been labeled, his enthusiasm wasn’t met with the same response from everyone.

Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs place kicker Harrison Butker (7) kicks a field goal against the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth quarter in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium.

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Former ESPN personality Trey Wingo took to X (formerly Twitter) to comment on the deal, offering a rather pointed perspective on the Chiefs signing of Butker.

“The Harrison Butker extension… making him the highest-paid kicker… underscores the inherent truth of the NFL: the better you are at the job the more a team is willing to put up with pure and simple,” Wingo wrote.

The Harrison Butker extension… making him the highest paid kicker….underscores the inherent truth of the NFL: the better you are at the job the more a team is willing to put up with pure and simple.

— trey wingo (@wingoz) August 5, 2024

Wingo’s remark highlights a stark reality in professional sports, and the NFL in particular: exceptional performance can often overshadow personal controversies. The Chiefs’ decision to invest in Butker underscores their confidence in his abilities despite any off-field issues.

As the Chiefs prepare for the upcoming season, Butker’s extension ensures stability and reliability in their kicking unit. Wingo’s comments likely resonate with many, emphasizing that in the NFL, a player’s exceptional talent can supersede their problems. As arguably the best kicker in the NFL, now the stats and the contract are perhaps louder than anything he’s said off the field.