Free safety Tyrann Mathieu. Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

The New Orleans Saints signed Tyrann Mathieu to a $28.3 million contract this past offseason with $18 million guaranteed.

In inking his new deal, Mathieu wrapped up something of a controversial offseason that saw him get spurned by the Kansas City Chiefs, a team whose championship fortunes he played an integral role in. Understandably, the divorce was a messy one.

This week, Mathieu addressed the situation.

“This is not the first time this has happened to me, you know Jim,” Mathieu said on the Jim Rome Show.

“I’m getting ready to play for my fourth team. Every step of the way, I’ve always kind of ran into that hurdle. It’s always kind of helped re-light the fire, or put the chip back on my shoulder. So I’m looking forward to it. Get the bull back home and play for a great defense that is really going to allow me to really play my personality. So I’m definitely looking forward to that.”

It goes without saying that Kansas City choosing to sign Justin Reid to a three-year, $31.5 million contract over him is still fresh in Mathieu’s mind, though.

“No doubt about it, I’m definitely motivated by it,” he said.

This has been an offseason of change for the Chiefs. Between their shifting offensive priorities and the Mathieu situation – a lot has happened.

Obviously the fact that they didn’t win a Super Bowl this year served as a wake-up call for Kansas City. Hence all the moves.

Will the roster alterations ultimately right last season’s wrongs? Time will tell.

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