The Buffalo Bills have signed punter Sam Martin on a one-year deal in a move to replace rookie punter Matt Araiza. The Bills decided to release Araiza four days before after the 22-year-old player found himself in a civil lawsuit accusing him of assault.
Martin was released by the Denver Broncos on Monday, leaving him wide open for a move to Buffalo. Last season, Martin averaged 42.8 net yards per punt; the third-highest in the league. He also placed 41.8% of his punts inside the 20-yard line, ranking him 10th in the league.
Prior to joining the Broncos, Martin played for the Detroit Lions for seven seasons; the same team that selected him out of Appalachian State in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL Draft.
Leading up to Martin’s appointment, Buffalo found itself in a precarious position, having released 2021 punter Matt Haack from his role at the team, instead handing punting responsibilities for the 2022 season to Araiza. Quarterback Matt Barkley filled in during the Bills’ devastating 21-0 preseason loss to the Carolina Panthers, punting four times.
