Chiefs sign ‘Punt God’ Matt Araiza. Are they moving on from free agent Tommy Townsend?
The Kansas City Chiefs signed a pair of players Thursday, including one who could project as an immediate starter.
Matt Araiza, a 23-year-old punter and 2022 sixth-round draft pick, agreed to terms with the Chiefs, according to Araiza’s agent, Joe Linta.
Araiza — nicknamed “Punt God” during his storied career at San Diego State — was released in August 2022 by the Buffalo Bills after he was named in a civil lawsuit that claimed he took part in a gang rape.
More than a year later, the accuser withdrew the civil lawsuit against Araiza, according to reporting from Yahoo’s Dan Wetzel. In addition, the local police and prosecutor’s office declined to recommend charges, while a separate investigation from San Diego State also stated it had no findings against Araiza, per Wetzel.
“I am proud and honored to sign a contract with the Chiefs,” Araiza said in a statement released by Linta. “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 2022 release, Araiza had an 82-yard preseason punt for the Bills.
And Araiza received plenty of national attention in college. Sports Illustrated titled a story about him, “Meet Matt Araiza, Punt God,” in April 2022, while the left-footed kicker was also featured on ESPN’s College GameDay.
“Matt can now move forward knowing that this ordeal is behind him,” Linta said in a statement. “He is thrilled to move forward as a part of the Chiefs Kingdom.”
The Chiefs’ move would seem to indicate the end of punter Tommy Townsend’s tenure in Kansas City.
Townsend, 27, is a free agent after averaging 47.2 yards per punt this year. He spent his four previous seasons with KC, earning Pro Bowl and All-Pro status in 2022.
Townsend changed agents last August, hiring Drew Rosenhaus.
The Chiefs also announced Thursday they had signed safety Tyree Gillespie. A 2021 fourth-round pick of the Las Vegas Raiders and former Missouri Tiger, Gillespie spent about a month on KC’s practice squad in December.
