NFL
Who is Chiefs’ kicker Spencer Shrader? Career stats, salary...
The Chiefs have called on the 25-year-old rookie to stand in for Harrison Butker who has been placed on injured reserve after suffering a serious knee injury.
Opportunity knocks for Spencer Shrader who was snapped up by the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday as a temporary replacement for injury-hit kicker Harrison Butker Butkerhas been placed on injured reserve after suffering an injury to his left knee in last week’s 30-20 win against the Denver Broncos.
Initial reports indicate that Butker will miss the next four games at the very least (against the Bills, Panthers, Raiders and Chargers) and in the meantime, head coach Andy Reid has turned to safety Justin Reid to fill in as an emergency kicker.
And towards the end of last week, the Chiefs moved for Spencer Shrader who had spent just a couple of weeks on the New York Jets’ practice squad and made just two appearances in the NFL. In Kansas City, the 25-year-old rookie is set to boost his personal figures in the elite league.
Shrader’s college days
Shrader was born in Indianapolis, Indiana but spent his childhood in Lithia, Florida. He enrolled at the University of South Florida (USF) and was the primary placekicker and kickoff specialist for the Bulls, playing 12 games in his first collegiate season (2019). During that season he converted four from nine field goals and finished with 12 from 12 in extra point attempts. His best season was 2021 when he ended with a total of 66 points in 11 games with 11 for 12 in field goal attempts and 33 for 33 on his extra point attempts.
In 2023, he switched to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, participating in all 13 games in the 2023 NCAA Division. He connected on 15 field goals, and finished 61-for-62 on extra points. He ended that season as the team’s second top scorer with 106 points and set a new school record with a 54 yard field goal in the 45-24 win over NC State.
Shrader goes back to his roots
In April 2024, Spencer moved back to his birthplace, joining the Indianapolis Colts on a three-year deal worth $2,850,000 with a $20,000 signing bonus, $20,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $950,000. He played just one game for the Colts, he was elevated from the practice squad for the season opener against the Houston Texans after starter Matt Gay fell injured.
He converted on all three of his extra point attempts but was left out in the cold once Gay had recovered and was released on 16 October.
New York was his next destination, he was picked up by the Jets on 30 October and registered in the practice squad. He made his debut against the Arizona Cardinals last week. The Jets lost 6-31 with Shrader contributing all of the team’s Jets points, connecting on both of his field-goal attempts, including an effort from 45 yards out.
The Jets planned to sign Shrader to their 53-man roster but left it too late and the Chiefs came knocking, offering him a one-year contract with an average annual salary of $795,000. In 2024, Shrader will earn a base salary of $353,336, while carrying a cap hit of $353,336.