KC Chiefs retain two players before start of NFL free agency next week | Reports
The Kansas City Chiefs have retained a pair of players before the official start of free agency next week.
KC will bring back punter Matt Araiza and offensive guard Mike Caliendo for the 2025 season; NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Friday that Araiza will be back on a $960,000 exclusive rights free agent (ERFA) tender, while ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported the Chiefs would also be offering an ERFA tender to Caliendo.
An exclusive rights free agent is a player with less than three years of accrued service whose contract has run out. These players cannot negotiate with other teams if their current team offers them a one-year, league-minimum contract.
Caliendo’s tender with his two accrued seasons, according to OverTheCap, will be $1.03 million.
Araiza ranked 10th in punting average at 48.8 yards per kick last season while struggling some with pinning opponents inside the 20. It was his first season in KC after signing with the team in February 2024.
Meanwhile, Caliendo started six games at left guard for the Chiefs last year after teammate Joe Thuney switched to left tackle. After joining the team as an undrafted free agent following the 2022 NFL draft, Caliendo will be in his fourth year with KC.
NFL’s free agency opens next week. The open negotiation period starts at 11 a.m. Central on Monday, while unrestricted free agents can officially sign with new teams at 3 p.m. Wednesday.
