Harrison Butker (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)

The Kansas City Chiefs are keeping veteran kicker Harrison Butker long-term after agreeing to a record-setting contract extension.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Harrison Butker and the Chiefs have agreed to a lucrative four-year extension worth $25.6 million contract, including $17.8 million guaranteed.

Butker’s $25.6 million deal is the richest ever for an NFL kicker. The $6.4 million average annual value (AAV) is also the biggest in football, surpassing the $6 million AAVs for Jake Elliott (Philadelphia Eagles) and Justin Tucker (Baltimore Ravens).

The three-time Super Bowl champion was entering the final year of his contract. But once again. GM Brett Veach managed to retain one of his core players before they could hit the open market.

Harrison Butker made headlines earlier this offseason when he made a commencement speech at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. During his speech, Butker made antisemitic, homophobic, sexist and misogynistic remarks, including a comment about how the female graduating students should become “homemakers.”

This led to calls from fans for the Chiefs to cut ties with Butker, with an online petition receiving over 235,000 signatures. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid stood by Butker, with Mahomes saying his teammate is “a good person”, and the head coach cited freedom of speech in America.

It was obvious in the weeks after Butker’s comments that the Chiefs wouldn’t release him. This new extension all but assures that they want him here as long as he continues to perform his job at a high level.

Chiefs Open 2024 season vs. Baltimore Ravens

The Chiefs became the first team in 19 years to repeat as Super Bowl champions when they defeated the San Francisco 49ers in overtime of the big game. Up next, they’ll look to become the first team to win three straight Super Bowls.

Kansas City opens its 2024 season with a home tilt against reigning MVP Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens on Sept. 5.