After joining the Texans, the former All-Pro for the Chiefs sent a message to Kansas City.
The Kansas City Chiefs are exerting a great deal of effort to win three straight Super Bowls. The Chiefs kept a number of important starters, but punter Tommy Townsend was a free agent.
Less than two weeks after winning back-to-back titles, Kansas City signed Matt Araiza, signaling that the writing was on the wall. Townsend didn’t stay unemployed for very long after winning First-Team All-Pro accolades in 2022.
The 27-year-old, who signed a two-year, $6 million contract with the Houston Texans in March, was an undrafted free agent who first joined the Chiefs in 2020. On May 18, Townsend made a return trip to Kansas City to assist Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce with his second annual musical festival. Talking with Harold R. Kuntz of Fox 4 KC, Townsend described coming back to Kansas City as “incredible.”
Townsend remarked, “It’s become a second home to me,” as he stood outside the Azura Amphitheater. “After returning here over the past few weeks, I will truly miss it. KC was excellent. Chiefs Kingdom is incredible. All I will be missing in Kansas City are my friends and teammates. However, since it’s a necessary component of the business, I’m looking forward to the future.
Even though the Chiefs adjusted Kelce’s deal and re-signed defensive lineman Chris Jones this offseason, Townsend acknowledged that only a select few players are able to play for the Chiefs on a permanent basis. He did not, however, close the door on a potential comeback.
“Playing for the same team your entire career is really difficult,” he remarked. I’m appreciative of my time in Kansas City, but I never want to completely exclude out returning. In the future, I would really like to accomplish that.
Townsend punted 2,776 yards on 59 occasions last season, averaging 47.1 yards per punt. Forty-eight percent of his punt returns during his four-year career with the Chiefs were down or fair caught inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. He completed three throws for 40 yards on fake punts.
Tommy Townsend, a punter with the Texans, is “excited” to play the Chiefs in the NFL in 2024.
Regarding his new team, Townsend stated, “I’m excited for things going forward with Houston and we will see how everything goes.” The former Florida player is eager to play against his old squad.
Townsend marked Week 16 after the NFL released its schedule because the Texans are supposed to visit Arrowhead on December 21. “I can’t wait to play here in December when I return to Kansas City and experience a typical cold-weather Kansas City game.” I can’t wait to play against all the boys and see everyone.
Chiefs Kingdom shed tears when they heard Townsend talk about his old team and hometown. “Love Tommy and was so sorry to see him leave, but man, he went to a great team,” wrote one fan on social media. Texans are expected to be very hardy. “Tommy will always be one of my favorite players and people, no matter who he plays for,” commented another commenter.
Chiefs News: During training camp, the punter position may be competitive.
Even though the Chiefs gave Araiza a one-year contract worth $775k, they quickly signed another punter following the conclusion of the 2024 NFL draft.
Ryan Rehkow, an undrafted graduate of Andy Reid’s alma college, BYU, was added by Kansas City. It’s anticipated that the former Big 12 Punter of the Year will challenge Araiza. On April 27, Jackson Payne of Deseret News wrote, “The Chiefs’ punting job is between Ryan Rehkow and Matt ‘Punt God’ Araiza.” Cinema is going to happen.
Rehkow totaled 3,289 yards on 68 punts in 2023, averaging 48.2 yards per punt. He had a 42% inside-20 rate in his four years at BYU, according to Chiefs Wire.
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