Matt Araiza, a free agent punter, has signed a contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, his agency reported on Thursday.
Araiza was released prior to the start of the 2022 regular season after being charged in a civil lawsuit with taking part in the gang rape of a minor at an off-campus party at San Diego State University in 2021. The Buffalo Bills had originally selected Araiza in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
The signing was later announced by the team.
Dec. 2022 saw the announcement by prosecutors that no charges will be brought against Araiza or any of his former Aztec teammates who were also implicated in the assault. Araiza was removed from a lawsuit that the purported victim filed last year. Araiza also consented to the dismissal of his countersuit for defamation against her.
“I am honored and proud to sign a contract with the Chiefs,” Araiza declared in a statement released on Thursday. “I’m overjoyed to be able to pursue my NFL career further. I want to express my gratitude to my numerous friends who have never wavered in their support as well as my family, who have been my rock.”
The Chiefs, who captured their second straight Super Bowl earlier this month, may require a new starting punter since Tommy Townsend, an experienced player, is expected to become a free agent in January.