Chiefs Sign Araiza

Better late than never. Araiza earns second chance to redeem his career.

Former Buffalo Bills punter Matt Araiza has inked a contract with the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs, his agency JL Sports announced Thursday.

Araiza’s comeback to the NFL comes after no criminal charges were levied against him in an alleged gang rape case involving the now 23-year-old. A civil suit against him was dismissed in December.

“We are proud to announce that our client Matt Araiza has signed with the Chiefs. We are grateful to Brett Veach, coach Reid and the Chiefs organization for giving Matt this opportunity,” the agency said. “Matt has been to hell and back in the last 18 months. He has handled himself with grace and humility that is truly inspiring. Matt can now move forward knowing that this ordeal is behind him. He is thrilled to move forward as a part of the Chiefs Kingdom.”

The Bills drafted Araiza in the sixth round of the 2022 draft out of San Diego State, and released him prior to the team’s final preseason game in August. They announced the decision 48 hours after Araiza was accused of sexually assaulting a minor with two former San Diego State teammates in 2021. He was released as the Bills faced public backlash for having knowledge about the alleged incident and taking a flyer on him anyway.

It turned out that San Diego Police had investigated the case, turning over every stone, for nearly 10 months before they forwarded it to the district attorney without a recommendation for prosecution. In January, a lengthy transcript obtained by Yahoo Sports showed that prosecutors found Araiza was not present during the alleged gang rape.

After waiting on pins and needles for over a year for a second chance in the league, Araiza thanked his family and friends for their support.

“I am proud and honored to sign a contract with the @Chiefs,” Araiza said in a statement released through his agent. “I am thrilled to be able to continue my NFL career. I want to thank my family, who have been my rock and my many friends who have been unwavering in their support. I am excited to begin the next phase of my career with the Super Bowl Champs!”

Before his release from the Bills, he seemed to be on the right track, set to continue the momentum established by his college career with the Aztecs. Known by the nickname “Punt God,” he eclipsed an NCAA record in his senior season with a 51.2-yard punting average. The pressure did not faze him, living up to the nickname, as he unleashed an 82-yard punt for the Bills during the preseason, which saw Buffalo officially commit to him as their starting punter.

While the New York Jets hosted Araiza for a workout in May 2023, the Chiefs might have been more motivated to sign him with veteran punter Tommy Townsend set to hit the free agency market next month.