Well there’s that. Former Kansas City Chiefs free agent safety and popular LSU Tigers star Tyrann Mathieu visited the New Orleans Saints at their team facility this week while in town catching up with friends and family, but he walked away from the meeting without a deal — NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill characterized the situation as more of a casual get-together with Mathieu taking time to meet team decision-makers and coaches while he happened to be in the area, reporting that there is “nothing imminent” in regards to a signing.
That’s discouraging on its face; a lot of fans were hoping Mathieu wouldn’t leave the building without a contract. But he’s one of the best free agents still available and intends to take his time in choosing where to continue his career. After spending the previous nine years with the Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans, and the Chiefs, Mathieu is about to turn 30 in May and knows this is his last and best shot at earning generational wealth for himself and his family. He can afford to wait for teams to meet his number. What that could be is anyone’s guess, though it’s worth noting Mathieu brought in $14 million per year with the Chiefs.
Mathieu had praise for first-year head coach Dennis Allen and his staff, telling the Advocate’s Wilson Alexander of his appreciation from afar: “Those guys have done a great thing. The last couple years, they’ve been like top-five in defense. I don’t think they really need me, but it would be good to go back home and help them win.”
So, sure, Mathieu would enjoy playing in front of a friendly home crowd and wearing the same uniform he watched his favorite players rock on TV while growing up in the city. But it doesn’t sound like either side is powerfully motivated to get a deal hammered out right now or even in the immediate future. If Mathieu has to wait until after the 2022 NFL draft or even into training camp for the right opportunity and an acceptable contract offer to appear, well, it sounds like he’s ready to do that. Maybe the Saints are willing to wait, too.
