In a shocking move that caught many by surprise, the Buffalo Bills cut ties with punter Matt Araiza two years ago, only to see him resurface now with the Kansas City Chiefs and poised to punt once again in a preseason matchup.
After being without a team for the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Araiza found a new home with the Chiefs following the departure of former punter Tommy Townsend. With a clear path to the starting job, Araiza is gearing up to showcase his skills in the upcoming preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
“It’s going to be pretty surreal,” Araiza expressed to reporters, as reported by Adam Teicher of ESPN.com. “Definitely going to take it all in. There were a lot of moments where I thought it was over, so I’m incredibly grateful to be here.”
The Bills cut ties with Araiza amidst legal troubles, as he faced a civil lawsuit for rape. However, he was later cleared of any criminal liability, and the lawsuit was ultimately dropped in December 2023, paving the way for his second chance with the Chiefs.
“I love football,” Araiza stated. “I love being out here, so it was on my mind a lot. It was tough to watch Sundays for sure. Really tough.”
Despite facing potential criticism and backlash, Araiza remains resolute in his innocence, stating, “Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion, but I think if you do your own research, I think you can come to a pretty clear conclusion.”
Known for his booming leg, Araiza made a statement in his first and only preseason appearance as a sixth-round pick in the 2022 draft, launching an impressive 82-yard punt that left onlookers in awe. As he prepares to take the field once again, fans can expect to witness more impressive displays from the talented punter.
