Former Buffalo Bills punter Matt Araiza has signed a contract with the Kansas City Chiefs that could be his first step back to the field in the NFL. The sixth-round draft pick out of San Diego State University had the beginning of his career in the league delayed amid a sexual assault investigation at his alma mater. With the investigation by the school yielding “no findings” against the punter, Araiza is looking forward to the next phase of his career.
Araiza put out a statement via the JL Sports Agency on Thursday. He says he’s “thrilled” to be able to get back to kicking in the NFL.
“I am proud and honored to sign a contract with the @Chiefs I am thrilled to be able to continue my NFL career,” JL Sports shared on X. “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!”
Araiza hired attorney to pursue defamation suit
Last year, the former Aztecs standout completed a workout with the New York Jets but did not ink a deal. Following the San Diego State University’s investigation, Araiza revealed that he planned to file a defamation suit against attorney Dan Gilleon.
Araiza has been a free agent since the Buffalo Bills waived him in August of 2022. He was the Bills’ sixth-round draft pick at No. 180 overall in 2022. He won the starting job in Buffalo but hasn’t kicked in a game since college.
At San Diego State, Araiza averaged 51.2 yards per punt in 2021, including a career-long 86-yard punt. He also hit on 64.3% of his field goal attempts and he missed just one extra-point attempt over three seasons for the Aztecs.
Back in December of 2022, prosecutors in San Diego announced they no longer were pursuing charges against him. Witness testimony reportedly corroborated that Araiza left an off-campus party an hour before a 17-year-old woman told police a gang rape occurred. The young woman initially identified Araiza as part of the gang rape. She said he was the man who led her into the bedroom for his teammates to have sex with her.
Araiza has maintained his innocence since the allegations surfaced. However, he did admit to a sexual encounter with the woman earlier in the night and claimed she told him she was 18.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this article, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
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