The Kansas City Chiefs are set to lose one of their key All-Pro contributors from their back-to-back Super Bowl titles in this year’s free agency. The Chiefs chose to go in another direction at punter for the 2024 season.
The Kansas City Chiefs signed a punter
Aug 13, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills punter Matt Araiza (19) makes contact with the ball in the second quarter pre-season game against the Indianapolis Colts at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Per Vincent Pensabene with GH, the Chiefs made a controversial decision to sign former Buffalo Bills punter Matt Araiza to the roster:
The back-to-back Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs are looking to become the first team in the Super Bowl era to pull off a three-peat and are trying to improve their roster on the margins. It is being reported by multiple sources that they are signing former Buffalo Bills punter Matt Araiza to fill the void by free agent Tommy Townsend.
Tommy Townsend is set for free agency
Dec 31, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs place kicker Harrison Butker (7) celebrates with holder Tommy Townsend (5) after kicking a field goal against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
With the Chiefs signing Araiza, the team will likely lose their current punter. Per Mike Garafolo with the NFL Network, Tommy Townsend is set to hit free agency next month.
Townsend is a competent punter
Feb 6, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Kansas City Chiefs punter Tommy Townsend (5) during a press conference before Super Bowl LVIII at Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort and Spa. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Townsend earned All-Pro honors for his play in the 2022 season. Townsend averaged 47.1 yards per punt and recorded 20 punts inside the 20-yard line for the 2023 season. He averaged punting inside the 20-yard line 33.9 percent of the time his number was called.
Townsend will be an attractive name in the free agency market for teams who need a punter. It’ll be interesting to see if the Chiefs regret their decision to take a risk on Araiza when they had a perfectly competent punter.
