Safety Tyrann Mathieu. Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Three-time Pro Bowl S Tyrann Mathieu in 'no rush to do a deal'

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 4/6/22

When free agent cornerback Tyrann Mathieu visited with the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday, some thought that it was destiny for the native of the "Big Easy" -- and former LSU star -- to return home. While that possibility may still come to fruition, Mathieu is reportedly not in a hurry to make a decision on his next destination.

From NFL Now: FA DB Tyrann Mathieu visited the #Saints yesterday, and there may be others. He is in no rush to do a deal. Right now, the focus is on family and getting in excellent shape. pic.twitter.com/2Sw1CDeYV3
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 6, 2022

The three-time Pro Bowler and First-Team All-Pro honoree is arguably the biggest name left on the free agent market amongst defensive players. Mathieu is coming off of a 2021 season in which he led all members of the Kansas City Chiefs with three interceptions and a career-high three fumble recoveries.

He also ranked third on the Chiefs in tackles (76) and was healthy enough to play in at least 10 games for the ninth straight year to begin his career, suiting up for 16 regular season contests. The only tilt that Mathieu missed in 2021 was in Week 1, when he had just come off of the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Mathieu was selected in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals and spent his first five seasons with the club. In 2015, he set a career-high in passes defended (17) while recording five interceptions and what is still tied for a career-high in tackles with 89.

After his March 2018 release from the Cardinals, "Honey Badger" signed a one-year, $7 million deal with the Houston Texans five days later, and made 89 tackles and registered a career-best 3.0 sacks with his new team. Mathieu signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Chiefs in March 2019 and helped the organization win its first Super Bowl in 50 years that season.

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