‘Took care of his business’ – Chiefs coach Andy Reid defends controversial Justin Tucker signing

Credit: Gregory Shamus/Ric Tapia via Getty ImagesKansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid had to face the media fire after the team signed kicker Justin Tucker to the practice squad.

>Tucker was suspended by the NFL without pay for the first 10 weeks of the 2025 season under the personal conduct policy for allegations of inappropriate conduct during massage sessions between 2012 and 2016 while on the Baltimore Ravens.

>He remained a free agent for all of 2025 and has had his first taste of returning to the NFL in 2026 with the Chiefs signing him to their practice squad, a decision that has been criticised heavily by fans.

Andy Reid defends Chiefs’ signing of Justin Tucker amid fan outrageCoach Reid spoke to the media after practice on October 28, taking his time to explain the decision-making behind signing Tucker.

>“He’s done his suspension, you know, and took care of that business there. I’ll leave it at that for you… But you know, I mean, the kid, he served a suspension. It’s been time. There’s been time involved with it. So that’s how I value it.”

>“We try to do our homework the best way we possibly can and talk to a lot of people and make sure things are OK… Listen, I’m not going to get into all that. But, to bring him in here, I did some homework. I’m not going to get into all that, but I mean, he’s here, and he’s on the practice squad. So we roll with it.”

Tucker’s situation prompted the Ravens to end a 13-year partnership with him, where he went 417-for-468 on field goal attempts for a total conversion percentage of 89.1%.

>With Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker going 11-for-16 on field goal attempts this season, KC were desperate to make a positive change in that role to keep their status as contenders alive. Tucker has a proven resume as a kicker and could be in contention to replace Butker if his form does not improve.

>With the Chiefs’ public profile as one of the most successful NFL teams in the last decade, Tucker returning to the NFL with them was bound to create a lot of controversy with how his first tenure in the league ended.

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