Two days after a civil suit was filed in which it was alleged that he partook in a gang rape of a 17-year-old girl while at San Diego State last year, the Buffalo Bills have decided to move on from rookie punter Matt Araiza.
The Bills announced on Saturday that they have released Araiza.
We have released Punter Matt Araiza. pic.twitter.com/dlmKJnEj7v
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) August 27, 2022
Prior to the suit being filed, the Bills named Araiza as the starting punter. Even with that, though, the writing was certainly on the wall for him to be released. Buffalo played its preseason finale on Friday against the Carolina Panthers. Shortly before that game, it was announced that Araiza would not play. Though Araiza was with the Bills in Carolina, Buffalo’s four punts were handled by backup quarterback Matt Barkley.
Following the game, coach Sean McDermott spoke on the matter. And while he wouldn’t commit to Araiza making (or not making) the roster at the time, he was clearly troubled by the obvious seriousness of the allegations.
As far as the NFL is concerned, this is the most punishment that Araiza could be subjected to. Shortly after the allegations came to light, it was reported that the NFL could not discipline Araiza since his alleged wrongdoing took place before he was drafted.
[Buffalo Bills on Twitter]
