KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - The Kansas City Chiefs have made several moves to retain potential free agents ahead of the new league year.
On Friday, the Chiefs tendered offensive lineman Mike Caliendo and punter Matt Araiza, according to several reports.
A tender in the NFL to an exclusive-rights free agent -- which both Caliendo and Araiza are for the Chiefs -- provides Kansas City with a right of first refusal if either player declines to sign the tender and opts to pursue a deal elsewhere.
Araiza, who the Chiefs signed as a free agent prior to the 2024 season, was tendered as an exclusive rights free agent, according to a report from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. The tender for Araiza would set him up for a contract worth $960,000 during the 2025 season if the left-footed punter signs it.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that Kansas City also tendered offensive lineman Mike Caliendo. He started for the Chiefs at left guard throughout the last month of the regular season and playoffs as the team shuffled its offensive line due to poor play and injuries at left tackle.
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Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Mike Caliendo (66) runs onto the field before the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 59 football game, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Doug Benc)(Doug Benc | AP)
Caliendo was signed to the Chiefs practice squad as an undrafted free agent in August 2022 out of Western Michigan. He’s appeared in 25 career games with the Chiefs.
Araiza was originally drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft and was cut by the Bills after an off-the-field accusation stemming from his time at San Diego State. Araiza had 62 punts for Kansas City in 2024 and averaged 48.8 yards per punt. Nine of his 62 punts went for touchbacks.
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