After releasing former sixth-round selection and Buffalo Bills punter Matt Araiza in August 2022 due to a civil complaint alleging gang rape, the Chiefs look to be considering a change at punter, possibly moving on from Tommy Townsend, a free agency.

After being cut before his first regular-season game, Araiza’s signing may result in his first official NFL play, as first reported by Jeremy Fowler.

Following Araiza’s rumored signing, JL Sports, his agency, thanked the Chiefs and other members of the team via Twitter.

Following the lawsuit’s filing, Araiza was released by the Bills, and general manager Brandon Beane spoke with the media about the team’s choice:

“I would say the last 48 hours has been very difficult for a lot of people,” Beane stated. “It’s been difficult, and we feel sorry for everyone engaged in this scenario. The young woman and her experiences. You truly feel awful about the entire thing, and in the end, this is a legal matter for which all the details are unknown. That’s what makes it difficult, but for the time being we simply believe it’s best for everyone to let Matt handle this and let him focus on that. We’re going to split up now  there.” In Dec. 2023, Araiza was dropped from the lawsuit and Araiza “agreed to dismiss his defamation countersuit against her”, according to The AP. Following the dropped lawsuit, Araiza and his lawyers maintained Araiza’s innocence, while the woman’s attorney reportedly said she “simply cannot afford to defend herself” after her first legal bills exceeded $20,000. The lawsuit against the four other former San Diego State players continued. According to Yahoo Sports, the district attorney’s office concluded that Araiza was not present at the time of the alleged rape.