New York Jets first team to work out punter Matt Araiza
The New York Jets will be the first team to work out former Bills punter Matt Araiza, per Adam Schefter.
Jets are working out free-agent punter Matt Araiza today, his agent @JLSports3 confirmed.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 24, 2023
Araiza was released by the Bills last August after a lawsuit was filed accusing him of being involved in an alleged gang rape of a 17-year-old. The San Diego district attorney never chose to press criminal charges against Araiza. Last week, San Diego State (where Araiza attended) announced that they found no wrongdoing by Araiza after an internal investigation.
Despite the potential redemption story, the likelihood of Araiza making the Jets roster is slim. The team signed veteran punter Thomas Morstead this season to a one-year deal worth $1.3 million with $1.1 million guaranteed.
With that said, Araiza is no slouch at the position.
Nicknamed “The Punt God”, Araiza won the Ray Guy Award as the top punter in the nation in 2021, as he led the country with 51.2 yards per punt. He also was only the second player in SDSU history to be named a unanimous All-American.
Instead of playing his final year of eligibility, Araiza entered the 2022 draft. He was selected in the sixth round by the Bills. And until his eventual release due to the allegations against him, Araiza was living up to his “Punt God” nickname.
Araiza won the starting job as a rookie prior to the start of the regular season. He beat out his only competition, veteran Matt Haack.
While being signed by the Jets is unlikely, Araiza’s workout with them could be the start of a redemption story.
