The Kansas City Chiefs, reigning Super Bowl champions, have made a significant addition to their roster by signing punter Matt Araiza. The news was reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, bringing a talented punter to the team.
This signing comes after months of controversy surrounding Araiza. In December, a woman dropped a civil suit against him, accusing him of sexual assault and gang rape at a party. However, authorities determined that Araiza was not present at the party when the alleged incident occurred. Araiza admitted to having consensual sex with the girl, who was 17 at the time, but claimed he did not know she was underage and denied any further contact.
Despite the controversy, Araiza’s talent as a punter has not gone unnoticed. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL draft after an impressive college campaign at San Diego State. However, he was cut by the Bills before making his professional debut. Since then, Araiza has worked out for the Jets but did not secure a contract due to the pending civil suit.
The signing with the Chiefs is a fresh start for Araiza, who has faced challenges in his journey to the NFL. His representatives, JL Sports Agency, expressed their gratitude to the Chiefs organization for giving Araiza this opportunity. They highlighted his resilience and grace in handling the difficult situation and expressed their excitement for him to join the Chiefs Kingdom.
The Chiefs currently have Tommy Townsend as their punter, who had a strong performance in the 2023 season. With Araiza now in the mix, the Chiefs have added depth and competition at the punter position, potentially improving their special teams unit.
Overall, Araiza’s signing with the Chiefs marks a new chapter in his career, giving him the opportunity to showcase his talent and move past the challenges he has faced. As he joins the Super Bowl champions, all eyes will be on him as he looks to make an impact on the field and contribute to the team’s success.
