Jets To Host Ex-Bills Punt God Matt Araiza For Workout
Matt Araiza will check out with the New York Jets on Wednesday, his agent confirmed to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Since being cut by the Buffalo Bills in August of last year, two days after a complaint was filed charging Araiza and two of his former San Diego State teammates of participating in a gang rape of a 17-year-old female, he has not played in the NFL.
Jets To Host Ex-Bills Punt God Matt Araiza For Workout
Following Araiza’s exoneration by prosecutors in connection with an alleged gang rape, The Post’s Brian Costello has reported that the Jets are working out the free-agent punter on Wednesday.
Matt Araiza is getting a workout with the New York Jets..
This is a great first step back for him #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/z1AN0zrt1f
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 24, 2023
After a stellar undergraduate career at San Diego State, where he earned the moniker “Punt God” and set an NCAA record by averaging 51.2 yards per punt, Araiza was selected in the draft. He was hailed by the Bills as their starting punter after a productive preseason, but he never played during the regular season.
When he was discharged in August of last year, his professional career came to an end.
https://twitter.com/OptimisticJets/status/1661437583002402818?s=20
Araiza would not be prosecuted for any crimes, according to the San Diego District Attorney’s Office’s announcement in December. The case’s evidence, which included 35 witnesses, DNA findings, and 10 search warrants, was evaluated by sexual assault specialists, district attorney prosecutors, and detectives, according to the office.
Jets are working out free-agent punter Matt Araiza today, his agent @JLSports3 confirmed.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 24, 2023
Araiza, according to the prosecution, was not present during the alleged gang rape, and San Diego State University found no evidence of misconduct on his part.
𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: #Jets are working out free agent punter Matt Araiza, per his agency
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) May 24, 2023
In a statement sent by his agency, Araiza stated that he was eager to resume his NFL career after the criminal matter was dismissed. He has a tryout right now.
Just In: #Jets are working out P Matt Araiza today (Schefter).
Araiza, aka Punt God, was thought of as one of the e best punters to enter the draft in years. He was selected by the in the 6th round in 2022, only to be released following accusations of rape at an off-campus… pic.twitter.com/xUmkRiN9U7
— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) May 24, 2023
Even if everything goes smoothly for the Jets, Araiza might not immediately be named the starter like he briefly claimed with the Bills. Thomas Morstead, a seasoned punter, signed with New York last month on a $1.3 million deal with $1.1 million guaranteed.
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