Report: Tyrann Mathieu, New Orleans Saints agree on 2-year, $13M deal
Tyrann Mathieu and the New Orleans Saints have come to terms on a two-year deal, according to Nick Underhill. The contract is worth $13 million over that span.
The former LSU Tiger finished the 2023 NFL season with 50 tackles, four interceptions and nine passes defended. Joining the team before the 2022 season, Mathieu has compiled 166 total tackles for his hometown Saints.
Under his initial deal, Mathieu was already going to spend the 2024 season with the Saints after signing a three-year, $28.3 million contract in 2022. The deal adds one more year to the contract, which means he will stay in New Orleans through 2025.
In college, Mathieu was nicknamed the Honey Badger for his blonde hairstyle and aggressive play style. He is one of the select few players in recent LSU history to wear the iconic No. 7 which include names like Patrick Peterson and Leonard Fournette, as he was a Heisman finalist for the Tigers.
Nicknamed, ‘Louisiana’s Son,’ before he become a Saint he was coming off three-year stint with the Kansas City Chiefs where he was a pivotal player and leader in their Super Bowl LIV winning season, and has continued to try to bring the Saints to similar success as a hometown hero.
Before her starred in Baton Rouge, Mathieu was a four-star prospect out of St. Augustine, where he was ranked the sixth best player in the state according to On3 Consensus, and also ran track and field for the Purple Knights.
Tyrann Mathieu reveals impact Deion Sanders has had on his career
“I remember Deion visited me when I was in Florida, training with Patrick Peterson, and you know, he was always in support of me,” explained the NFL veteran. “He was always encouraging. He would always give me these words of advice, to stay focused and stay committed to football, and obviously keep God first, and you know, it’s probably best to keep great people around you.
“I was always thankful for Deion, and all the encouraging words he gave me, and he still gives me to this day.”
For anyone that thinks Sanders is putting on an act when you hear him speak, Mathieu wants you to know you’re wrong, as he’s more than grateful for Sanders’ tutelage.
“He’s always been that kind of person,” added Mathieu. “Obviously he’s self-motivated, and I think we all kind of know that from his playing days. You know, he always believes in himself, and his abilities and what he can do, but I was always grateful, because he always tried to pour that into me.
“So you know, always was grateful to kind of hear his voice, and like I said, still to this day, he’s one of those encouraging voices in my ear.”
Read more from On3’s Steven Samra here.