Shortly before the start of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs are taking care of some minor affairs as they continue to reconstruct the roster after a six-win season. On Monday, they officially provided special teams coordinator Dave Toub with some more consistency by bringing back punter matt Araiza for another year.
The Chiefs officially signed Araiza to a one-year deal, according to NFL reporter Ian Rapoport, although terms were not yet disclosed as of press time.
General manager Brett Veach had previously tendered an offer to Araiza just over one month ago as an exclusive rights free agent. The Chiefs had decisions to make on a handful of players and both Araiza and returner Nikko Remigio were tendered contracts while others—including offensive lineman Mike Caliendo, running back Keontay Ingram, and corner Eric Scott—were allowed to become free agents. The Chiefs brought back Caliendo a few weeks later.
The qualifying offer given to Araiza meant that Kansas City maintained the right of first refusal, if he negotiated an agreement with a competing franchise. In this way, the Chiefs protect their asset while allowing the market to set a rate. In both instances, with Remigio and Araiza, the Chiefs brought back both players without any reported deal involving another franchise.
The Chiefs are leaning into continuity on special teams for the 2026 season.
That Araiza is back for his third season means that the Chiefs' special teams units will enjoy even greater consistency in 2026. Harrison Butker will be starting his tenth season as the team's kicker, and long snapper James Winchester has the second-longest tenure on the Chiefs' roster (two years shorter than tight end Travis Kelce, who has been with K.C. since 2013).
Araiza arrived in 2024 to take over for Tommy Townsend, who left in free agency after holding the role for four years to sign with the Houston Texans. Araiza's signing was a bit of a surprise after he'd been out of the NFL for more than a year. False accusations of rape led to his release from the Buffalo Bills, who had drafted him in the sixth round of the 2022 draft. After signing him, Veach explained that Araiza should have been brought back to the NFL sooner than he did.
Over the last two seasons, Araiza has averaged 48.2 yards/punt with 42.4 percent of all punts downed inside the opponents' 20-yard line. His return gives the Chiefs some reassurance at the position, but it will also be interesting to see if Toub wants to look at some competition following the draft. If K.C. invites another punter into the mix among their undrafted free agent class, things could get interesting at the position.
For now, however, the Chiefs go into a new season with famiiar faces all around in the specialist roles. Further competition might be coming, but the floor is established as everyone at Arrowhead eyes a rebound campaign.
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