Are Chiefs Right In Signing of 'Controversial' Kicker Butker?

"Right'' is in the eye of the beholder.

After his controversial and conservative-leaning commence speech this spring that prompted the NFL to release a statement distancing its values from his, Kansas City Chiefs ' kicker Harrison Butker likely won't win the league's Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.

But in the eyes of some, he may have just earned something better, in the form of a record paycheck.

The Chiefs this week signed their clutch kicker to a four-year, $25.6 million contract that includes $17 million guaranteed. At an average of more than $6 million per season, the contract makes Butker the highest-paid kicker in NFL history.

His deal tops the previous record deals signed by the Baltimore Ravens' Justin Tucker and the Philadelphia Eagles' Jake Elliott.

Butker negotiated the deal himself, without the help of an agent. He confirmed the contract on Twitter .

"There's no place I'd rather be than with the Chiefs, excited to finalize a 4 year extension," he wrote. "To the Heights!"

There are critics who believe the Chiefs should've joined the NFL in taking a stand against Butker. The are others who will cringe at our use of the word "controversial'' to describe something they believe in.

But there is a bottom line here for the football team: Butker's remarks never became a locker-room disruption. And he's very good at his job.

So, Butker - who last season he made 33 of 35 field goals, including six of six from 50+ yards - gets to keep his job. With a raise.

Butker already has a career full of clutch kicks, including a 29-yarder with three seconds remaining to get the Chiefs into overtime with the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII. He also kicked the game-clinched field goal in Super Bowl LVII over the Philadelphia Eagles.

Caustic and controversial off the field? Maybe. But calm and consistent between the lines? Yes, $25 million worth of it.