Matt Araiza

Matt Araiza Bio

Matthew Ryan Araiza is an American professional football punter for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). Born on May 16, 2000, in San Diego, California, Araiza earned the nickname “Punt God” from fans during his collegiate career at San Diego State University, where he set the NCAA season record for average punt yardage. He entered the NFL as a sixth-round selection (180th overall) by the Buffalo Bills in the 2022 NFL Draft. After being released by the Bills, Araiza signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in February 2024 and earned Pro Bowl recognition in his first season with the team.

Early Life and Background

Araiza grew up in San Diego, California, and attended Rancho Bernardo High School. At Rancho Bernardo, he was a versatile athlete, playing football and soccer while also competing as a hurdler on the track and field team. As a placekicker for the football team, Araiza made 37 field goals and earned two-time All-America selection honors. His strong high school performance attracted attention from multiple college programs.

Araiza ultimately chose to continue his football career at San Diego State University (SDSU), selecting the Aztecs over offers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the University of Montana. This decision marked the beginning of his journey toward becoming one of the most decorated punters in college football history.

Path to American Football

Upon arriving at SDSU, Araiza redshirted his true freshman season as a backup to All-Mountain West Conference kicker John Baron II. He demonstrated his ability during spring practices, which positioned him for an increased role in subsequent seasons. His dedication and work ethic during this developmental period laid the foundation for his future success.

Araiza became the team’s starting placekicker as a redshirt freshman and immediately made an impact. He connected on a school-record 22 field goals on 26 attempts, earning honorable mention All-Mountain West recognition. He continued his strong play in the 2020 COVID-19-shortened season, making 10 of 14 field goal attempts and earning a second consecutive honorable mention All-Mountain West selection.

During the 2021 season, Araiza added punting duties to his responsibilities and quickly established himself as exceptional at the position. He finished the season averaging 51.19 yards per punt, breaking the previous NCAA record of 50.98 yards per punt set by Texas A&M’s Braden Mann in 2018. This record-setting performance earned him the nickname “Punt God” from fans nationwide. Araiza won the Ray Guy Award as the top punter in the nation and became just the second player in San Diego State history to be named a unanimous All-American. He also earned Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Year honors and First-team All-Mountain West recognition. Following the season, he announced his decision to enter the 2022 NFL Draft, forgoing his final year of collegiate eligibility.

Matt Araiza Career

Buffalo Bills (2022)

The Buffalo Bills selected Araiza in the sixth round with the 180th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He was the third punter selected in that year’s draft, behind two others chosen in the fourth round. After being drafted, Araiza competed for the punting position and earned the starting role following the release of veteran Matt Haack. He was named the Bills’ starting punter going into the 2022 season.

However, his tenure with the Bills ended abruptly. Araiza did not dress for the Bills’ final preseason game on August 26, 2022, one day after a lawsuit accusing him and two former San Diego State teammates of gang rape became public. The Bills released him on August 27, 2022. The organization stated they had become aware of the allegations against Araiza in July, after he was drafted but before the lawsuit became public.

Kansas City Chiefs (2024–Present)

Araiza signed with the Kansas City Chiefs on February 22, 2024. By this time, he had been dropped from the civil lawsuit, and the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office had declined to press criminal charges, stating that the evidence did not support filing charges. In his first season with the Chiefs, Araiza performed at a high level and was selected as an alternate for the Pro Bowl.

Araiza played a significant role in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIX appearance, punting six times for an average of 51.8 yards, which set a new Super Bowl record for punting average. The Chiefs fell to the Philadelphia Eagles in that game with a final score of 40-22. On April 20, 2026, Araiza re-signed with the Chiefs on a one-year contract, securing his continued presence with the team.

Driving Style and Strengths

Araiza’s punting style is characterized by exceptional leg strength and hang time. His ability to consistently boom punts deep into opposing territory made him a valuable asset for both the Bills and the Chiefs. His collegiate record of 51.19 yards per punt average demonstrated his capacity to flip the field and pin opponents inside their own end zone. His versatility as both a punter and placekicker, honed during his college career, provided him with a unique skill set that translated well to the professional level.

Notable Events and Milestones

Several defining moments stand out in Araiza’s career. His NCAA record-breaking 51.19 yards per punt average in 2021 earned him national recognition and the “Punt God” moniker. Winning the Ray Guy Award as the nation’s top collegiate punter cemented his status as an elite performer at the position. In the NFL, his Super Bowl LIX performance, where he set a new Super Bowl record with a 51.8-yard punting average across six punts, represented the highest stage on which his abilities were showcased. Earning Pro Bowl selection in his first season with the Chiefs further validated his professional impact.

Matt Araiza Career Wins

Across his NFL career with the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs, Araiza has established himself as one of the league’s most reliable punters. His career statistics reflect consistent performance at a high level, with impressive distance and placement numbers that have contributed to his team’s special teams success.

Kansas City Chiefs Highlights

With the Chiefs, Araiza has been a key component of one of the NFL’s premier special teams units. His Pro Bowl selection in his first season with the franchise highlighted his immediate impact. The landmark performance came during Super Bowl LIX, where his 51.8-yard average across six punts set a new Super Bowl record. This accomplishment on the sport’s biggest stage demonstrated his ability to deliver under the highest pressure circumstances. His consistent ability to pin opposing teams deep with his directional punting and impressive hang time has been instrumental in the Chiefs’ defensive strategy.

Other Wins and Performances

Beyond his Pro Bowl and Super Bowl accomplishments, Araiza’s collegiate career at San Diego State provided a foundation of success. His Ray Guy Award win in 2021 recognized him as the nation’s top punter, and his unanimous All-American selection marked him as one of the best at his position in college football history. The Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Year award underscored his dominance within his conference.

Matt Araiza Family

Family Background and Heritage

Araiza comes from a multicultural background, with his father having been born in Mexico. This Mexican heritage has been part of Araiza’s identity throughout his life, though he has largely maintained privacy regarding specific details about his family members. His athletic family background, while not extensively documented, includes support from his parents during his developmental years in San Diego.

Personal Life

Araiza resides with his focus primarily on his football career. He maintains a public presence on social media platforms including X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. In December 2023, Araiza and his accuser mutually agreed to drop their respective lawsuits against each other, with neither party admitting any wrongdoing and no money changing hands. Araiza retained the right to pursue legal action against his accuser’s attorney and subsequently settled with that attorney in summer 2024. He has expressed satisfaction with how the legal proceedings concluded, stating that he chose to fight the allegations publicly rather than settle quietly.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season represents another chapter in Araiza’s continued development with the Kansas City Chiefs. Entering his second full season with the team, he has established himself as a reliable and consistent performer in the punting game. His chemistry with the coaching staff and special teams coordinator has allowed him to refine his craft and contribute effectively to the team’s overall strategy. The Chiefs’ special teams unit has benefited from his experience and talent, with Araiza’s ability to change field position serving as a significant weapon for the coaching staff.

Key results throughout the 2025 season have reinforced Araiza’s value to the franchise. His consistent punting yardage and impressive inside-the-20 numbers have kept opposing offenses in difficult field position throughout the season. The Pro Bowl recognition he earned in 2024 has provided a foundation of confidence that has carried into his subsequent performances. Looking ahead, Araiza appears poised to remain a vital component of the Chiefs’ special teams as the franchise continues its pursuit of championship success.