Chiefs’ Drue Tranquill jokes Matt Araiza is a linebacker in punter’s clothing
.jpg "Oct 7, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) returns a kick as Kansas City Chiefs punter Matt Araiza (14) defends during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images")
In four seasons at the Chiefs punter, Tommy Townsend never recorded a tackle. Before that, Dustin Colquitt had 10 tackles in 15 seasons with the Chiefs.
By comparison, current punter Matt Araiza made two tackles in Friday’s win over the Raiders.
My colleague Jesse Newell talked with Araiza last week about his desire to seek out contact on the field and his history of having played on defense.
“We need him to make it through the season,” special teams coordinator Dave Toub said in that story. “He doesn’t need to be down there being a missile like that.”
Araiza didn’t heed his coach’s suggestion on Friday. Check out these two tackles.
Araiza’s nose for the ball has impressed his teammates, and linebacker Drue Tranquill made mention of it on social media.
“Is Matt Araiza an undercover linebacker playing punter?” Tranquill wrote.
Judging my those tackles on Friday, it’s easy to see why Tranquill asked that question.
This story was originally published December 2, 2024 at 11:51 AM.
