The Philadelphia Eagles will head coming out of training camp without a punter on the roster.
A few names have already been tossed around, but one player sticks out as a potential game-changer for the Eagles special teams unit.
Philadelphia has been linked to Steelers’ punter Braden Mann, along with several other players who have lost position battles or have been cut from their respective teams.
Corliss Waitman, Pat O’Donnell, and Blake Gillikin are a few of the other potential candidates that the Eagles could bring in but would any of them give Eagles fans renewed confidence in the punter position?
Could Philadelphia Give Matt Araiza A Second Chance?
Another interesting name connected to the Eagles’ punter job has been former Buffalo Bills punter Matt Araiza.
Araiza was drafted in the sixth-round but never got a chance to debut in Buffalo. Instead, he was released by the Bills before the 2022 season after being charged in connection to an alleged rape. Araiza was not charged after it was found that he was not present, according to reports.
Prior to the case, Araiza was known as the ‘Punt God’ and could turn out to be the type of talent that takes the special teams unit to the next level.
A former kicker, Araiza actually converted 22 of his 26 field goal attempts (84.6 percent) in his first season at San Diego State. Then, after flashing potential as a punter in 2020, he took over both kicking duties in 2021. While he struggled as a kicker, he averaged 51.6 yards per punt as a senior, including two punts of over 80 yards.
Check out this 90-yard punt against Hawaii.
Is The Risk Worth The Reward?
Araiza had his criminal convictions dropped, so he’s eligible to return to NFL rosters in the same way that Josh Sills was able to return to the Eagles.
There’s some risk of public backlash with Araiza, which could play a role in why he hasn’t been given a second look despite several teams around the league still looking for a starting-caliber punter.
With his NFL dream nearly taken away from him, Araiza would potentially be a rebuilding project for whoever signs him and what better place for him to land than in Philadelphia?
The Eagles have the locker room culture and support to help Araiza pick up where he left off in the NFL. On the other hand, the fan base is desperate for a punter that can change the complexion of the game and help win the field position battle, especially in the playoffs.
Should the Eagles give Araiza a second chance? What do you think?
