Chiefs News: Reaction to Spencer Shrader’s game-winner vs. Panthers

While the Kansas City Chiefs were largely underwhelmed in Sunday’s 30-27 victory over Carolina Panthersa positive takeaway is the performance of rookie kicker Spencer Shrader.

In his second game with the team following the sudden knee injury that placed Harrison Butker on injured reserve, Shrader was successful on all three extra point attempts and field goals from 25, 41 and 31 yards. The final kick came as time expired to secure an unexpectedly close Chiefs victory.

The Chiefs had coach Andy Reid praise the team’s new kicker after the game.

“Spencer shuts it out — that’s a lot of pressure for a new guy,” the coach acknowledged. “He’s here replacing a future Hall of Famer for us. That’s not easy to do in these games and he did a great job.”

When discussing the offense’s final sequence that led to the game-winning field goal, Patrick Mahomes knew he had done what was necessary for Shrader to win.

“I had a ton of confidence in him,” Mahomes declared. “I have seen him do it in practice. Since he’s been here, he’s gone out there and worked. I had a ton of confidence that we got him into his sweet spot, and he nailed it right there.”

Speaking with the team’s play-by-play announcer Mitch Holthus, tight end Noah Gray agreed with Mahomes that Shrader’s practice habits speak for themselves.

“Shout out to Spencer,” Gray boasted. “Phenomenal work coming in here (a week and a half ago) and just making the kick when we needed him. It’s just a guy that I just saw come to work (and) put his head down. He is a humble guy and he has done great things for us so far. We’re just lucky to have a guy with that kind of confidence.”

When it was his turn to speak, the first-year pro expressed gratitude for where he finds himself after making the jump to his third team since going undrafted last spring.

“The biggest feeling in that moment is gratitude for the opportunity,” Shrader explained. “I’m just happy that I was able to go out there and perform for the team. When you join an organization like the Chiefs, there’s a championship culture and there’s a standard that has to be met.

“For me, I just wanted to come in and do my best for the team as long as I’m here. I was thankful to be put in a situation today where I could step up and put up a few points, but it’s a team effort at the end of the day.”

After only being with the team for a full week of practice, Shrader credited Chiefs long snapper James Winchester and punter Matt Araiza for the successful quick transition.

Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images

“You come in (to Kansas City),” he noted, “and you have a snapper and a holder who are elite at what they do. They try to get you as comfortable as possible. Every day is a learning experience. You work on things (and) you refine your craft a little bit every day.

“But I couldn’t be around a better group (and) a better team. Everyone reaches out and tries to make you as comfortable as possible in a situation like this.”

After Mahomes converted 33 yards in the final minute of regulation to the Carolina 22-yard line, it was clear that Shrader would have a chance to win the game. A 10-yard pass to running back Kareem Hunt eventually put the final distance at 31 yards.

While grateful for the short yardage attempt, Shrader declined to put an upper limit on his confidence for distance.

“My job is just to kick it wherever they give it to me,” he noted. “I don’t even think about it. Obviously, the shorter the more confidence-inspiring, but at the end of the day I can’t choose. I just go out there and kick it wherever they put it.”