KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chiefs have issued one-year contract tenders to kicker Harrison Butker, wide receiver Marcus Kemp and defensive tackle Justin Hamilton, sources tell Chiefs Digest.
The three players were exclusive rights free agents, meaning they have fewer than three accrued seasons of service. The Chiefs owned exclusive negotiating rights with the three players, but are required to offer a one-year tender for at least the minimum salary based on their experience to retain their services for the upcoming seasons.
The Chiefs continue exploring a longer term extension with Butker, a source told Chiefs Digest.
Butker burst on the scene as a rookie in 2017, converting 38 of 42 field goals for a 91 percent accuracy rate. The 38 field goals set an NFL record for a rookie season, despite Butker kicking in only 13 games. He took over the kicking duties after an injury to Cairo Santos.
He had an equally successful follow-up season, hitting 24 of 27 field goals for an 89 percent success rate. The Chiefs' high-flying offense helped Butker led the league in 2018 with 65 successful extra point kicks, although four misses dropped his accuracy to 94 percent. The 65 successful kicks rank sixth-most in a NFL season.
Kemp, who joined the Chiefs as an undrafted rookie free agent from Hawaii in 2017, played all 16 games in his second season, primarily on special teams. He won the club's competition as the top special teams performer. He also caught his first NFL pass in 2017 at receiver.
Hamilton entered the NFL in 2015 as an undrafted free agent from Louisiana-Lafayette. He spent time with Buffalo, Green Bay, Seattle and Philadelphia before the Chiefs signed him off the Eagles' practice squad in December 2017. He played in four games for the Chiefs during the 2018 season.
