Tyrann Mathieu is one of the most intriguing names available on the NFL free agent market this summer.
After an extremely successful run with the Kansas City Chiefs, Mathieu was surprised at the beginning of the offseason to see the team pass on re-signing him. Instead, the front office opted to ink safety Justin Reid to a three-year, $31.5 million contract.
That left Mathieu out in the cold.
This week, news emerged that the Pittsburgh Steelers have interest in adding Mathieu to the roster – but under one condition.
“The Steelers have an interest in signing Tyrann Mathieu, and they would have enough cap space to sign him to a two-year contract for what they believe he is worth,” reported NFL insider Bob Labriola. “The issue is whether Mathieu agrees with the Steelers’ assessment about what he is worth.”
After Reid got his deal, Mathieu came out and said he would have been willing to accept something similar to return to Kansas City. That sets the mark for what the 29-year-old appears to be looking for.
Pittsburgh can likely offer Mathieu something in the neighborhood of $8 million annually, roughly in line with the two-year, $16 million that Myles Jack got. It remains to be seen if that will be enough to get a deal done.
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