Kansas City Chiefs punter Matt Araiza spoke with reporters after practice on Wednesday at Missouri Western State University. He discussed the field goal and PAT operation with kicker Harrison Butker and long snapper James Winchester, who have been together for a few years.
"Yeah, it's good. I mean, the longer you play with people (Harrison Butker and James Winchester), you learn their tendencies," said Araiza, "you learn where their mind goes on gameday and stuff like that, so it's definitely helped our chemistry grow over the last couple of years."
Araiza was an exclusive rights free agent this offseason because he had fewer than three accrued seasons when his contract had expired. The Chiefs offered him a one-year tender, preventing Araiza from
negotiating with other teams and keeping him as the unit's holder. He opened up about Butker's progress at practice.
"Yeah, we've changed our practice process a little bit," said Araiza. "We've been bouncing around specifically for field goal period vs the traditional start close and finish with the far kicks. But, just continuing to learn, continuing to grow, dial in our process. It's been a good camp so far."
Last season, Araiza had 56 punts for 47.6 yards per punt. He continues to improve his touchback percentage while working with special teams coordinator Dave Toub.
This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Matt Araiza on kicking process with Harrison Butker, James Winchester
