The Kansas City Chiefs are giving Matt Araiza a second chance at a punting job in the NFL.
Araiza, who was dumped by the Buffalo Bills after he was accused in a civil lawsuit filed in August 2022 of being involved in a gang rape while at San Diego State, is signing on with the Chiefs.
His agent Joe Linta confirmed the signing, which was first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
“We are grateful to Brett Veach, coach [Andy] Reid and the Chiefs organization for giving Matt this opportunity,” Linta wrote in a social media statement.
Araiza, 23, was dismissed from the lawsuit in December. The woman, who was 17 at the time of the alleged rape, was identified in the lawsuit as Jane Doe. The former college star then agreed to dismiss a defamation suit filed against her in July 2023.
San Diego’s District Attorney’s office announced in December 2022 that criminal charges would not be filed in the case.
“I am proud and honored to sign a contract with the Chiefs,” Araiza said in a statement released through his agent. “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!”
Araiza is expected to compete for the Chiefs’ starting punter role, which is currently held by Pro Bowler Tommy Townsend. Townsend is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next month.
The Bills selected Araiza in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. The team released him in the summer of 2022 after he was named in the lawsuit. The punter has yet to play a game in the NFL. The Jets brought Araiza in for a workout in May.
