Nov 23, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Nikko Remigio (81) runs against the Indianapolis Colts in the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Denny Medley-Imagn ImagesMatt Araiza and Nikko Remigio signed their Exclusive Rights Free Agent contract tenders, setting the floor for the punter and return specialist positions in 2026.
The Kansas City Chiefs saw two players officially sign contracts at the onset of the offseason workout program. Chiefs punter Matt Araiza and return specialist Nikko Remigio each signed their Exclusive Rights Free Agent (ERFA) tenders on Monday. They each received a non-guaranteed $1.075M one-year deal based on their accrued service time. This very much sets the floor for Kansas City at the punter and the return specialist position. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean the Chiefs won’t seek to improve those spots.
While neither Matt Araiza nor Nikko Remigio is at immediate risk of losing their jobs, the non-guaranteed nature of their salaries leaves the possibility open. The Chiefs won’t have to burn any salary cap space if they decide to move on from either player. At the same time, neither player will be a huge cost to the team if they stick.Araiza has been the Chiefs’ punter since 2024. Every year since his arrival, he’s faced offseason competition, which has forced him to elevate his game. In 2024, the Chiefs brought in Ryan Rehkow to compete with Araiza. In 2025, the Chiefs signed Eddie Czaplicki to compete with Araiza. I expect Dave Toub to push for the same type of situation in 2026.
ERFAs are players who have yet to accrue three seasons in the NFL. Unlike Restricted Free Agents (RFAs), teams will hold exclusive negotiating rights with ERFAs. Once an ERFA is tendered a contract in free agency, another team cannot swoop in and sign them to an offer sheet. They can continue negotiating toward a new deal or a long-term extension. ERFA’s are not able to refuse a contract tender. They can only reach unrestricted free agency if the team does not extend a qualifying offer.
As for Remigio, he’s coming off of what was a down season as the team’s primary return specialist. He had 29 kick returns for 741 yards and 25 punt returns for 191 yards. He also missed the final two games of the 2025 NFL season with a knee injury. Brashard Smith will provide some competition at the kick returner spot. Tyquan Thornton could potentially provide competition at punt returner. Don’t be surprised to see the Chiefs bring in an undrafted free agent or exhaust a late-round draft pick on a player with some return specialist ability.