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Kansas City Chiefs to sign punter Matt Araiza, who was released by Buffalo Bills in 2022

The Kansas City Chiefs are signing former Buffalo Bills punter Matt Araiza, according to his agency.

ESPN.com was the first to report the signing. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

“I am proud and honored to sign a contract with the Chiefs. I am thrilled to be able to continue my NFL career, Araiza said in a statement. "I want to thank my family, who have been my rock and my many friends who have been unwavering in their support. I am excited to begin the next phase of my career with the Super Bowl Champs!”

Araiza was accused of sexual assault and sued by a woman who said she was raped by Araiza and two other San Diego State University football players in 2021.

The woman dismissed the lawsuit in December, and Araiza agreed to dismiss the defamation lawsuit he filed against the accuser. Araiza's attorneys said that their client is not paying the woman any money in exchange for dropping the lawsuit.

The Bills released Araiza in August 2022, two days after the civil suit was filed.

In December 2022, the San Diego County District Attorney's Office announced Araiza would not face charges in the case.

Matt Araiza works out during Buffalo Bills training camp in 2022. He was released by the team on Aug. 27, 2022.
Matt Araiza works out during Buffalo Bills training camp in 2022. He was released by the team on Aug. 27, 2022.

The now 23-year-old Araiza was selected by the Bills in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL draft, playing at San Diego State. During his junior season with the Aztecs, Araiza was a first-team All-American and won the Ray Guy Award, which is presented to the nation's best punter.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Matt Araiza to be signed by Kansas City Chiefs after lawsuit dropped