The Kansas City Chiefs are taking care of some of their roster needs ahead of Thursday’s 2026 NFL Draft.
According to a report from insider Ian Rapoport, Chiefs punter Matt Ariaza has signed a one-year contract to remain with the team for the upcoming season.
Kansas City placed an exclusive rights free agent tender on Araiza back in March, which is for players who have accrued less than three NFL seasons. It is a fully-guaranteed salary worth $1,075,000.
Kansas City Chiefs P Matt Araiza Took Big Step Forward in 2025
During his first year in Kansas City in 2024, Araiza flashed his strong leg plenty of times, but struggled a bit with accuracy. The Chiefs brought in Eddie Czaplicki during training camp to compete with Araiza, but he would beat Czaplicki out. Perhaps that sparked something in Araiza, because his touchback percentage dropped from 14.5 percent in 2024 to only 5.4 percent in 2025.
Araiza was a sixth-round draft pick by the Buffalo Bills in 2022. After appearing in just two preseason games, he was released by Buffalo when he and other San Diego State football players were sued by a woman for allegedly raping her. Araiza was dismissed and cleared from the case in December of 2023, and signed with Kansas City in February of 2024.
Araiza earned the nickname “The Punt God” during his collegiate days after breaking the NCAA record for the highest yards per punt average during a season at 51.19. He also won the Ray Guy Award, which goes to the top punter in the nation, and was unanimously named an All-American. In 2024, the Chiefs committed to him immediately.
In what was essentially his rookie year, Araiza finished 10th in the league in yards per punt, 16th in punts downed inside the 20-yard line, and tied for the most touchbacks given up with nine. He improved upon that last season, ranking 11th in punts downed inside the 20, and only allowing three touchbacks.
Still just 25 years old and having only two seasons under his belt, Araiza has plenty of room for growth. If he can build on the success he had last season, he could become one of the best punters in the league. During Super Bowl LIX, Araiza set a record for the most yards per punt average with 51.8 on six attempts.
Other Key Special Teams Players for Chiefs
GettyKansas City Chiefs wide receiver Nikko Remigio.
Special teams carries a little more importance in Kansas City than it does with most other teams, mostly thanks to Dave Toub, who is considered one of the best special teams coordinators of all time. Earlier this offseason, the Chiefs re-signed wide receiver Nikko Remigio to a one-year contract extension, who also serves as a kickoff returner.
Remigio should have some competition for the latter role, which could feature WR Tyquan Thornton, as well as running backs Brashard Smith and Emari Demercardo. James Winchester was also brought back for the 2026 season, as he enters his 10th season with the Chiefs as the long snapper.
Harrison Butker still has three years remaining on his record kicker contract, but needs to bounce back strong after a disappointing 2025 season. If he is unable to, the Chiefs have an out on his contract next offseason, and could move on from him. Key players on Kansas City’s coverage units include linebackers Jack Cochrane and Cooper McDonald, tight end Noah Gray, and defensive backs Jaden Hicks and Kevin Knowles.
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