Latest Chiefs UDFA signing signals that Kansas City is bringing in competition for an underrated roster position
Among the many undrafted free agents the Kansas City Chiefs have signed is USC Trojans punter Eddie Czaplicki. After beginning his collegiate career with the Arizona State Sun Devils in 2021, Czaplicki transferred to USC in 2023. Czaplicki not only punted for the Trojans, but was also their kickoff specialist. He had a huge year […]
Among the many undrafted free agents the Kansas City Chiefs have signed is USC Trojans punter Eddie Czaplicki.
After beginning his collegiate career with the Arizona State Sun Devils in 2021, Czaplicki transferred to USC in 2023. Czaplicki not only punted for the Trojans, but was also their kickoff specialist. He had a huge year as a senior in 2024, averaging a net of 45.7 yards per punt, placing 24 punts inside the 20 yard-line.
For his efforts, Czaplicki was named a First-Team All-American, won the Big Ten Eddleman-Fields Punter of the Year Award, as well as the Ray Guy Award (top punter in the nation). Only one punter was selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, which was Florida's Jeremy Crawshaw, selected by the Denver Broncos in the sixth round.
Czaplicki may have gone undrafted, but he could have a legitimate shot at winning the Chiefs' punter job. He'll go up against Matt Araiza for the role, who appeared in all 20 games (postseason included) for Kansas City last season. Araiza had his moments, but was inconsistent as a whole during the 2024 season.
Our friend Jared Sapp of Arrowhead Pride noted on X that Czaplicki's $100,000 contract with the Chiefs is fully guaranteed, whereas Araiza is not only making less at $795,000, but has nothing guaranteed.
That definitely signals that Czaplicki will get a long, hard look during offseason OTAs. If he impresses, the Chiefs could bring both him and Araiza to training camp and have them battle it out for the punting job. It's worth noting that 2024 was essentially Araiza's rookie season and still has plenty of room for growth and improvement.
He has one of the strongest legs among all punters in the NFL, but needs to learn how to contain it when trying to pin opponents deep in their own territory. Competition often brings out the best in players, so Czaplicki's arrival could be just what Araiza needs.