Tag: Tommy Townsend

Texans expected to sign ex-Chiefs punter Tommy Townsend

The Houston Texans have a new punter in Tommy Townsend after Cameron Johnston left for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Houston Texans found their new punter.

After Cameron Johnston left for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston agreed to a deal with former Kansas City Chiefs punter Tommy Townsend, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Townsend’s deal is for two years, $6 million.

Townsend finished the 2023 season with the 17th-most yards per punt this past season with 47.1 and 33.9% of his punts were inside the 20. He made the Pro Bowl in 2022 after his punts averaged 50.4 yards per attempt.

Should Bengals consider signing Tommy Townsend?

A Chiefs free agent could help the Bengals this offseason.

After 14 seasons of Kevin Huber keeping the punting game mostly consistent for the Cincinnati Bengals, there were some struggles at the position with Drue Chrisman and 2023 rookie Brad Robbins getting a chance.

The Bengals drafted Robbins with their sixth-round pick in last year’s draft, but he didn’t perform like they hoped he would for the most part.

Now after the Kansas City Chiefs signed Matt Araiza, it seems as if they won’t be re-signing their punter Tommy Townsend.

Over the past four seasons, Townsend has been one of the better punters in the league for the Chiefs and has proven he belongs on an NFL roster, earning first-team All-Pro in 2022 and a Pro Bowl appearance.

Throughout his career, he has averaged 47.4 yards per punt and has had 80 punts inside the 20-yard line, doing so 40.8 percent of the time. He had 20 punts inside the 20 last season, which was the same number as Robbins, but Robbins punted 17 more times than Townsend did.

Robbins has only had one year in the NFL, so he could turn into the player the Bengals hoped he would be with time, but with Townsend about to hit free agency, they should consider signing him to compete with Robbins next season.

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Chiefs make roster move that could land Steelers a new punter

The Steelers could get a huge boost in punting if they sign Tommy Townsend.

This week the Kansas City Chiefs made something of a controversial move when they signed free-agent punter Matt Arazia. The move means the Chiefs are unlikely to pursue former starting punter Tommy Townsend. This could be a huge plus for the Pittsburgh Steelers who are in the market for a punter.

After three lackluster seasons, the Steelers finally decided to cut ties with Pressley Harvin III. This was a move long overdue and now leaves the Steelers with a significant need on special teams. We’ve talked about potential replacements available via the draft or free agency but specifically, Townsend might be just what the team needs if he can recapture his former glory.

The signing of Arazia was as much financial as it was anything else. Townsend had a down year but hardly a bad season. Realistically, it is all about if the Steelers want to pay what Townsend will demand in a contract as one of the best punters in the league. Six punters are set to make at least $3 million in 2024 and I’m sure Townsend wants to make it seven.

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Twitter reacts to Chiefs signing punter Matt Araiza

Users on Twitter reacted to the #Chiefs’ decision to sign punter Matt Araiza on Thursday.

The Kansas City Chiefs signed free agent punter Matt Araiza on Thursday, marking their first significant move of the offseason since winning Super Bowl LVIII.

Araiza, known to his fans as “Punt God”, was a decorated player as a collegian at San Diego State University, earning All-American honors and the Ray Guy Trophy in 2021.

Initially selected by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Araiza’s professional career was nearly ended by a lawsuit that was dismissed in December.

His signing may mark the end of Tommy Townsend’s tenure in Kansas City, which made some fans feel uneasy about the signing when news of his acquisition by the Chiefs broke this week.

Townsend had become a cherished member of Kansas City’s special teams unit and, with his future now unclear, users on Twitter were quick to react to Araiza’s signing.

Check out their top posts about the move below:

Chiefs sign free agent punter Matt Araiza

The #Chiefs signed punter Matt Araiza on Thursday, a move that could mark the end of Tommy Townsend’s time in Kansas City.

With the cloud of a lawsuit behind him, the Kansas City Chiefs intend to sign former 2022 sixth-round pick Matt Araiza on Thursday, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the team’s first notable move after its victory in Super Bowl LVIII.

Araiza put together an illustrious career at San Diego State that captivated audiences around the country, earning him the nickname “Punt God.”

He was an All-American in college and won the Ray Guy Award as the nation’s best collegiate punter in 2021, leading to his selection by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round of the 2022 draft.

That summer he was released, however, after being named in a lawsuit alleging the rape of a 17-year-old girl. Araiza was dropped from the lawsuit in December 2023 in exchange for him dropping a defamation lawsuit against her.

All-Pro punter Tommy Townsend isn’t under contract with the Chiefs for the 2024 season, and Araiza’s addition could be an indication that they are moving on.

While it remains to be seen whether Araiza’s golden leg will be as effective as it was in college, his signing on Thursday is a good sign that Kansas City’s coaching staff is comfortable with his ability to at least compete for a starting spot if Townsend re-signs.

More than any other in history, Super Bowl LVIII was about special teams

More than any other Super Bowl in history, Super Bowl LVIII was defined by two dominant, record-setting special teams units.

LAS VEGAS — When a Super Bowl ends, the temptation is to put a neat little bow on the whole thing. But when a Super Bowl is as uncertain and messy as Super Bowl LVIII was, it’s tougher to find the dominance that mattered in the end. The San Francisco 49ers’ defense, especially its defensive line, was about as good as any could be, but in the end, it wasn’t enough to contain Patrick Mahomes as the Kansas City Chiefs became the first team since the 2003-04 New England Patriots to repeat as Super Bowl champs.

Not that the Chiefs were anything special on offense. Mahomes was better in the stat sheet than he was on the field — 34 of 46 for 333 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, and a passer rating of 99.3. Beyond his frantic final drive to win the game 25-22 in overtime… well, there were issues.

Kansas City’s defense was equal to the 49ers’ challenge, limiting San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy to 23 completions in 38 attempts for 255 yards, one touchdown, no interceptions, and a passer rating of 89.3. Receiver Jauan Jennings was the best passer on the day, completing one pass on one attempt for a 21-yard touchdown to running back Christian McCaffrey.

So, it was a weird game without an obvious winner… except for two. The special teams units of the Chiefs and 49ers. Per the Elias Sports Bureau, here were all the Super Bowl records set in this game:

  • Most Field Goals Made, Career – 9, Harrison Butker
  • Longest Field Goal Made – 57, Harrison Butker
  • Most 50-Yard Field Goals Made, Game – 2, Jake Moody
  • Highest Average Punting, Game – 50.8, Tommy Townsend & Mitch Wishnowsky
  • Most Fumbles Recovered, Career – 4, Patrick Mahomes
  • Most Field Goals Made, Both Teams – 7, Kansas City (4) vs. San Francisco (3)
  • Highest Average Punting, Team – 50.8, Kansas City & San Francisco
  • Fewest Kickoff Returns, Both Teams – 0, Kansas City vs. San Francisco
  • Fewest Kickoff Return Yards, Both Teams – 0, Kansas City vs. San Francisco

And here were all the records tied in this game:

  • Most Field Goals Attempted, Career – 10, Harrison Butker
  • Most Field Goals Made, Game – 4, Harrison Butker
  • Most Fumbles, Career – 5, Patrick Mahomes
  • Most Consecutive Games Won – 2, Kansas City
  • Most Points Overtime Period, Team – 6, Kansas City
  • Most Field Goals Attempted, Both Teams – 7, Kansas City (4) vs. San Francisco (3)
  • Most Field Goals Made, Team – 4, Kansas City
  • Fewest Rushing Touchdowns, Both Teams – 0, Kansas City vs. San Francisco
  • Fewest Kickoff Returns, Team – 0, Kansas City & San Francisco
  • Fewest Kickoff Returns Yards, Team – 0, Kansas City & San Francisco

The common thread, for the most part? Special teams on both sides. 49ers kicker Jake Moody set a Super Bowl record with a 55-yard field goal with 14:48 left in the first half, and he held that record for less than two game quarters, as Harrison Butker outdid him with a 57-yarder with 5:01 left in the third quarter.

So, when the defenses were spinning, and the offenses were sputtering, it was really the special teams that stood out more than just about anything else — and for the Chiefs, it really helped to win the day.

Who woulda thunk it?

Which former Gators are playing in Super Bowl LVIII?

For the 22nd year in a row, a former Florida Gator will play in the Super Bowl, and two could make history with back-to-back rings.

Now that we know which teams are playing in Super Bowl LVIII, we know which former Florida Gators will be a part of the big game.

Several former Gators have played in (and won) Super Bowls. In fact, this is the 22nd Super Bowl in a row to feature a player who spent his college years in Gainesville. Legendary Dallas Cowboys running back Emmit Smith and linebacker Godfrey Myles both won back-to-back Super Bowls in the early ’90s.

This year, five Gators are a part of the two organizations playing for the Lombardi trophy. Let’s take a look at each of them.

WATCH: Chiefs execute perfect punt vs. Ravens

The #Chiefs pulled off a perfect punt against the #Ravens in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday.

The Kansas City Chiefs’ special teams unit has been a key component of the team’s success in recent years and put on a show on Sunday in the AFC Championship Game against the Baltimore Ravens.

All-Pro punter Tommy Townsend was called on to pin the Ravens back deep in their own territory late in the fourth quarter and was able to boot a perfect ball that was caught by Justin Watson about a yard away from the goal line.

Kansas City only has a 10-point lead, and Baltimore’s offense has shown that it can get downfield in a hurry against the Chiefs’ stout defense. Forced to start a crucial drive at the one-yard line, Lamar Jackson faces an uphill battle to put points on the board to cut into Kansas City’s lead.

Stay tuned to the game to see if Jackson can lead the Ravens to a scoring drive, or if the Chiefs are able to keep Baltimore on its heels.

Chiefs punter Tommy Townsend celebrates 27th birthday

#Chiefs punter Tommy Townsend celebrated his 27th birthday on Sunday, November 12.

The Kansas City Chiefs special teams unit has been one of the best in the NFL this season, and punter Tommy Townsend’s efforts to flip field position have played a large part in the squad’s success in 2023.

Townsend, now in his fourth year with the Chiefs, celebrated his 27th birthday on Sunday, marking yet another trip around the sun for the All-Pro punter.

A consistent presence for Kansas City on Sundays, Townsend has cemented himself as one of the league’s top punters in recent seasons and is known as one of the Chiefs’ most coveted assets on special teams.

In addition to his role as Kansas City’s punter, Townsend also serves as the team’s holder on field goals and has been stellar in his time helping Harrison Butker nail three-point tries since joining the Chiefs as Dustin Colquitt’s successor in 2020.

Though he won’t be on the field in Week 10 as Kansas City takes its bye, fans can expect to see Townsend back in action against the Philadelphia Eagles on November 20.

Dave Toub: QB Patrick Mahomes is the Chiefs’ emergency punter

Special teams coordinator Dave Toub says quarterback Patrick Mahomes is the #Chiefs’ emergency punter.

The Kansas City Chiefs avoided possible disaster before their Week 6 victory over the Denver Broncos on Thursday Night Football. All-Pro punter Tommy Townsend was dealing with a sore knee ahead of the game but was well enough to get through the game.

Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub has never shied away from utilizing any player on the roster for a role. He has gone to place-kicking enthusiast Justin Reid as an emergency backup for Harrison Butker. Toub revealed to reporters on Thursday his intentions to utilize Patrick Mahomes as the team’s backup punter if necessary in games.

“Yeah, we had a plan. We had a plan, and believe it or not, ’15’ (Mahomes) Is our backup punter,” Toub explained. “He could do it. I mean, he shows me all the time. You know he’s out there boom on Saturdays hitting punts. He can do it all, that guy. It’s unbelievable.”

Mahomes has often pushed for doing more outside of the quarterback position, whether in jest or for the team’s betterment.

“If we wanted him to, he could probably,” said Toub, reiterating the real possibility of Mahomes the punter being an emergency option.