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Matt Araiza’s Contract Breakdown
A Look at the 2024 Reserve/Future Contract
Matt Araiza, also known as the “Punt God,” has made his return to the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs.
According to Spotrac, Araiza signed a one-year reserve/future contract worth $795,000 for the 2024 season. The contract is straightforward, carrying no signing bonus, guaranteed money, or additional incentives.
Here’s a summary of the contract details:
- Contract Terms: 1 year, $795,000
- Average Annual Salary: $795,000
- Signing Bonus: None
- Guaranteed at Signing: None
- Total Guaranteed: None
- Free Agent Status: Exclusive Rights Free Agent (ERFA) in 2025
The contract reflects a low-risk commitment by the Chiefs, giving Araiza an opportunity to re-establish himself in the league without significant financial implications for the team.
Contract Cap Implications for 2024
In terms of the Chiefs’ salary cap, Araiza’s contract represents a modest financial hit. His base salary of $795,000 also serves as the total cap hit for the team in 2024.
Since there are no signing bonuses or guaranteed money involved, there is no dead cap associated with this contract. Should the Chiefs release Araiza during the season, the team would not incur any financial penalties.
Breakdown by Year:
- 2024: Base Salary – $795,000, Cap Hit – $795,000, Dead Cap – $0
- 2025: Exclusive Rights Free Agent (ERFA)
What Does an Exclusive Rights Free Agent (ERFA) Status Mean?
After the 2024 season, Araiza will be classified as an ERFA.
This designation applies to players with fewer than three accrued seasons in the NFL and means that the Chiefs hold the exclusive right to retain him by offering a one-year contract at the league minimum.
This status gives the team significant leverage to keep Araiza at a low cost, assuming he performs well during the 2024 season.
Matt Araiza’s Salary: How Does It Compare?
Araiza’s $795,000 base salary places him at the league minimum for players with his tenure in the NFL. While this amount might seem modest compared to star players, it aligns with his current status as a specialist returning to the league after a hiatus.
For context, the average salary for NFL punters is approximately $1.5 million per year. Araiza’s salary is therefore below the positional average, but this contract serves as a prove-it deal to showcase his abilities.
Breaking Down Araiza’s Earnings by Minute
If we calculate Araiza’s earnings based on his annual salary of $795,000, he makes approximately:
- Per Day: $2,178 (assuming 365 days in a year)
- Per Hour: $90.75
- Per Minute: $1.51
This calculation highlights the impressive earning potential of even league-minimum NFL contracts.
Matt Araiza’s Career Earnings
As of February 2025, Araiza’s total career earnings stand at approximately $1,011,148, according to Spotrac.
This figure includes:
- $216,148 from his rookie contract signing bonus with the Buffalo Bills in 2022
- His prorated salary from the Bills in 2022 before being waived
- His current one-year deal with the Chiefs
Despite a turbulent start to his NFL career, Araiza has crossed the $1 million milestone in career earnings, a notable achievement for a punter in the league.
The Buffalo Bills Contract: A Flashback
In 2022, Araiza entered the NFL with significant fanfare after being drafted in the sixth round by the Buffalo Bills.
His four-year rookie contract was valued at $3.87 million, with an average annual salary of $969,037. The deal included a $216,148 signing bonus, which was the only amount guaranteed at signing.
However, his time with the Bills was cut short after off-field allegations surfaced, leading to his release before the season started.
The key terms of the Buffalo Bills contract were as follows:
- Contract Duration: 4 years, $3.87 million
- Average Annual Salary: $969,037
- Signing Bonus: $216,148
- Guaranteed at Signing: $216,148
- Total Guaranteed: $216,148
- Free Agent Status: Unrestricted Free Agent (UFA) in 2026
While the contract held significant potential for Araiza, his release cleared $705,000 of cap space for the Bills, leaving only the signing bonus as dead money.
A Second Chance with the Kansas City Chiefs
Araiza’s reserve/future contract with the Chiefs represents a pivotal moment in his career. The deal provides him with an opportunity to prove his worth on a championship-caliber team.
Known for his exceptional leg strength and ability to flip field position, Araiza’s skills could be a valuable asset for Kansas City’s special teams unit.
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Low-Risk, High-Reward for the Chiefs
From the Chiefs’ perspective, Araiza’s contract is a low-risk, high-reward proposition. The team gains a talented specialist at the league minimum salary, with no long-term financial commitments.
If Araiza performs well, the Chiefs can retain him as an ERFA in 2025 at minimal cost. Conversely, if he doesn’t meet expectations, the team can move on without financial repercussions.
To better understand Araiza’s contract, it’s useful to examine the broader market for punters in the NFL. According to Spotrac, the highest-paid punters in the league earn between $3 million and $5 million annually, with multi-year contracts and significant guarantees.
What’s Next for Matt Araiza?
- As Araiza prepares for the 2024 season, the focus will be on his performance both on and off the field.
- A strong showing during training camp and preseason could solidify his position as the Chiefs’ starting punter.
- Additionally, Araiza’s ability to contribute to field position battles could make him a valuable asset in high-stakes games.
- Off the field, Araiza will need to maintain a clean record and demonstrate that he has moved past the allegations that disrupted his rookie season.
- Matt Araiza’s journey in the NFL has been anything but conventional. From the highs of being labeled the “Punt God” to the lows of being waived amid controversy, Araiza now has a fresh start with the Kansas City Chiefs.
- His one-year, $795,000 contract is an opportunity to prove that he belongs in the league and can contribute at a high level.
- For the Chiefs, the deal is a low-cost gamble with the potential for significant upside. Should Araiza meet expectations, he could become a long-term fixture in Kansas City’s special teams unit.
- For Araiza, this contract is more than just a financial agreement—it’s a chance to rewrite his NFL story.
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