Kansas City Chiefs’ Tyrann Mathieu garners first-team All-Pro honors at defensive back
Kansas City Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu might have been snubbed by Pro Bowl voters.
The Associated Press, however, more than made up for the Pro Bowl oversight by honoring Mathieu as an All-Pro twice.
Mathieu was selected first-team All-Pro at defensive back and second-team All-Pro at safety, the AP announced Friday morning.
The 5-foot-9, 190-pound Mathieu proved to be the Chiefs’ most valuable free-agent addition in 2019 by being instrumental in helping turn around a defense that finished the 2018 season ranked 31st in total defense and against the pass.
Mathieu was the playmaker on the backend of coverage that was missing in 2018, and totaled 75 tackles, two sacks, a team-high four interceptions and a team-high 12 passes defensed. The seventh-year pro also led the Chiefs defense with 1,095 snaps.
Entering the playoffs and with Mathieu entrenched as a clear defensive leader, the Chiefs finished the 2019 season ranked an impressive eighth against the pass and a respectable 16th in total defense.
Mathieu was the only Chief chosen to the first team, a contrast from 2018 when the Chiefs had four first-teamers: quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, wide receiver Tyreek Hill at the flex position and right tackle Mitchell Schwartz.
Friday’s announcement marked the second time in Mathieu’s career he was chosen first-team All-Pro. The last time was in 2015 while Mathieu was with the Arizona Cardinals.
In addition to Mathieu, Kelce, Schwartz and rookie kick returner Mecole Hardman were second-team All-Pro selections this season.
Kelce enjoyed a record-setting campaign and totaled 97 catches for 1,229 yards and five touchdowns. The seventh-year pro became the first NFL tight end to record four straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons. San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle made the first team over Kelce.
Schwartz, also snubbed by Pro Bowl voters, garnered his third career second-team All-Pro selection. He previously made the second-team in 2016 and 2017 before making the first team in 2018. New Orleans Saints right tackle Ryan Ramczyk, also a Pro Bowl snub, made the first team over Schwartz.
Hardman, who made the Pro Bowl team as a returner, finished the 2019 season leading the Chiefs with 18 punt returns for 167 yards and 27 kickoff returns for 704 yards and a touchdowns. New Orleans Saints rookie Deonte Harris was picked to the first team.
