K HARRISON BUTKER
Q: Last week you hit a few 60-yard field goals in a row. Do you sense your range has been extended?
BUTKER: “I’d say it’s probably similar. You know, with starting the season last year with the misses – and they were longer misses – and I feel like I was just so focused on hitting the big ball, especially when it’s like a 56-yarder, I’m trying to crush it when there’s no need to. If you just hit it smooth, it’ll still go over the crossbars so for the rest of that season, I just didn’t really care about hitting a big ball. I really haven’t focused on that during OTAs, and it just tells you (that) when you’re smooth and you have good foot-to-ball contact (and) you’re feeling strong, the ball is going to go. You don’t need to overpower it and again, kicking is such a mental skill that if you’re going out there and you don’t have the right mindset, that can really affect you a ton.”
Q: Are you going to get to any of the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches?
BUTKER: “I got to see (Argentine soccer player Lionel) Messi when Miami played Sporting KC here so that was awesome. It’d be great to see him again, but I am a (Portuguese soccer player Cristiano) Ronaldo fan so hopefully if Portugal and Argentina are playing – isn’t there a chance in the quarterfinals? Yeah, I’m sure ticket prices will be up there, but I’d love to see Ronaldo in his probably last World Cup tournament.”
Q: Is it cool to have the World Cup in Kansas City?
BUTKER: “Oh, yeah. Yeah, whether I’m in the stadium watching it or just on TV. To see these top world class athletes from across the world playing in GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium and you know we only have a couple more years here. It’ll be awesome to see – and for the whole city. I mean, I’m excited to see the people that come into town and how it kind of changes the city for a couple of months.”
T JOSH SIMMONS
Q: Can you evaluate your season? What stands out?
SIMMONS: “I would say consistency. I wasn’t as consistent as I wanted to be. I think a lot of people could see that, so that’s probably something that I’m hammering right now.”
Q: What have you learned from Offensive Coordinator Eric Bieniemy and how he coaches?
SIMMONS: “He’s (Offensive Coordinator Eric Bieniemy) going to bring it. He’s intense. The first meeting - I was ready to run into a wall so I’m glad he’s in the room because you definitely feed off it.”
Q: On Offensive Coordinator Eric Bieniemy focusing on details and how much that will elevate his game.
SIMMONS: “I’d say it’s more repetition. Like is said, patterns, if you kind of build that habit, it’s just going to show up. It can’t not show up on Sunday’s, so that’s what I try to do.”
DB NOHL WILLIAMS
Q: How much more comfortable are you coming in this season?
WILLIAMS: “For sure, way more comfortable than last year. I would say that I’ve gained – the terminology is easier, it’s more engrained into my brain now – the scheme. The second year in the defense you should catch on or you’re not studying.”
Q: You played a lot more in the final few games last season. How did you evaluate your play through those games?
WILLIAMS: “I would say -- it’s just growth, it’s up and down. It’s up and down. You know, there’s good, there’s bad (and) there’s things that you can always work on. I just saw a lot of growth in my play. I got more confident in myself as the games went on all the way back to the Raiders game.”
Q: On having an increased role this season.
WILLIAMS: “I’m still attacking it the same. I attack it even harder now. You know, I would be lying if (I said) they don’t expect a lot from me but I’m ready for it. I’m prepared; I’m going to keep preparing still in the offseason and going into training camp so (I) just got to keep preparing.”
Q: On the addition of CB L’Jarius Sneed. Did you watch him at all throughout his career?