Kansas City Chiefs make final roster decision over key position involving controversial signing

THE Kansas City Chiefs have made a move concerning an important position.

Andy Reid‘s decision has involved a controversial player as the team prepares for the upcoming season.

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Kansas City Chiefs punter Matt Araiza punts the ball during the team’s Super Bowl 59 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles back in February[/caption]

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The Chiefs’ latest roster decision involves Araiza, who is entering his second season in the NFL[/caption]

The Chiefs have to make the proper cuts in order to slowly work their way to a 53-man roster.

So on Wednesday, the Chiefs waived rookie punter Eddie Czaplicki, per the NFL personnel notice.

In a corresponding move, the Chiefs signed wide receiver Kwamie Lassiter.

Due to the decision, the Chiefs has essentially handed Matt Araiza the team’s starting punter job.

Kansas City had signed Czaplicki as an undrafted free agent back in April, intending to give him a chance to win the role over Araiza.

Special teams coordinator Dave Toub recently shared that he hoped for the competition to continue into the preseason, but the team would have to continue to stay relatively healthy for that to happen.

Numerous injuries occurred on Tuesday, which led to the USC product Czaplicki being waived.

The Chiefs signed Araiza last offseason after he was cleared of an off-the-field sexual allegation.

The San Diego State product was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

But Araiza’s allegation led to his ultimate Bills release in that year.

The 2024 campaign was essentially Araiza’s rookie season.

He started and was the replacement of two-time Super Bowl winner Tommy Townsend.

Araiza averaged 41.5 net yards per punt, which was 10th in the league, and posted an impressive 40.3 percent of his punts within the opponent’s 20-yard line.

He also finished tied for the most touchbacks given up with nine.

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The Chiefs waived the rookie punter and USC product, Eddie Czaplicki, this week[/caption]

During Super Bowl 59, Araiza set a record for the most yards per punt average with 51.8 on six attempts.

The 25-year-old would, of course, punt plenty during the Chiefs’ devastating 40-22 big game loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Kansas City will look to bounce back as they will attempt to win their Super Bowl title in four seasons in the upcoming season.

But first, they’ll face the Arizona Cardinals in their first preseason game on August 9.