Who Should I Start? Zane Gonzalez or Harrison Butker

Tuesday, September 5, 6:14 PM

San Francisco 49ers kicker Zane Gonzalez (calf) has been released by the team in order to clear some cap space on Tuesday. The 49ers placed the veteran kicker on IR last week as they pared their roster down to 53 players and he is now free to sign with any team, although, that may be difficult with his current injury. 2023 third-round pick, Jake Moody (quad) is expected to be the 49ers starting kicker once the regular season begins but he's dealing with an injury himself. San Francisco signed Matthew Wright as a backup if Moody can't suit up on Sunday at Pittsburgh. The 49ers are loaded at pretty much every position group on their roster but kicker, as it stands right now, is not one of them. They may need to bring in another reliable veteran kicking option if Moody's recovery takes longer than expected.

Friday, October 18, 4:15 PM

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker will face the San Francisco 49ers in Week 7. In Kansas City's last contest, Butker nailed four of five field goal attempts and both of his extra-point attempts in the 26-13 win over the New Orleans Saints in Week 5. Butker has been accurate this season, draining 12 of his 14 field goal attempts and 10 of 11 extra-point attempts. Butker has been one of the most consistent kickers in the NFL throughout his career, nailing over 85% of his field goal attempts in every season except 2022. Butker has also made over 90% of his extra-point attempts in his career. The San Francisco defense is a well-rounded unit that could trouble the Kansas City offense when the field shortens. If the Chiefs offense stalls within Butker's range, he is more than capable of splitting the uprights. The Kansas City Chiefs kicker should be worthy of a start in Week 7.