Tommy Townsend Quickly Finds New Home in NFL Free Agency
By Joe Summers
It was expected that the Chiefs would ultimately part ways with All-Pro punter Tommy Townsend after signing former San Diego State star Matt Araiza, and now the departure is official.
Townsend will reportedly sign a two-year, $6 million deal with the Houston Texans, marking the end of his Chiefs tenure as Araiza will now be Kansas City's starting punter.
See the latest on the contract details below.
Chiefs News: Tommy Townsend Signs With Texans
Former Chiefs punter Tommy Townsend is signing a two-year $6 million deal with the Houston Texans, per source. pic.twitter.com/8vdQSyINKy
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2024
Townsend quickly became a fan favorite with his flowing locks and booming kicks, quickly establishing himself as one of the NFL's best punters after joining the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2020.
He was named a first-team All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl in 2022, averaging 45.6 net yards per punt in a fantastic season.
For his career, Townsend averages 47.4 yards and 42.8 net yards per punt with 40.8% of his kicks landing inside the opponent's 20-yard line. He's a big addition for the Texans, though it makes sense that Brett Veach didn't want to commit hefty contracts to both Townsend and Harrison Butker.
Getting Araiza on the cheap is the kind of move winning organizations make, though it's sad to see Townsend go nonetheless. The Chiefs will host the Texans in 2024, so Townsend will return to Kansas City to get a proper send-off.
Kansas City is still favored to win the AFC at +350 odds, though the Texans aren't terribly far behind at +1400. It'll be a fun season, and it's quite possible the two-time Super Bowl champion just left the Chiefs for their biggest rising contender in the conference.
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