NFL Network: Other teams keeping tabs on Chiefs’ Tyrann Mathieu as free agency nears
It’s less than a month before the start of the NFL’s free-agency period, and the Chiefs will be facing some difficult decisions regarding players whose contracts are set to expire.
One of those players is safety Tyrann Mathieu, and the NFL Network’s James Palmer reported Thursday that other teams are interested in possibly adding Mathieu to their roster.
“He’s not only popular in his own locker room, he is popular amongst decision makers across the NFL as we approached free agency and considered by many teams to top free-agent safety on the market,” Palmer said. “Remember, in about two months he’s going to turn 30 years old. This could potentially be his last chance at a big, big payday in the free-agent market.
“Now this is how things went down. Before the season, (Chiefs) general manager Brett Veach and Tyrann Mathieu’s representation had discussions, put those on hold throughout the duration of the season. Now that we are in this free-agency period where things are ramping up once again, Brett Veach is taking a look at where they are salary-cap wise, where they are salary-cap wise in 2022 and beyond to my understanding. What else needs to be done, we’ll get to that as well with these other free agents and how does Tyrann Mathieu play into all of that?”
Mike Ginnitti, the managing editor of Spotrac, which contains salary information for professional athletes, listed four potential fits for Mathieu during an interview Wednesday with Carrington Harrison on KCSP (610 AM).
They are the Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Ravens.
Ginnitti said Mathieu likely will become a free agent but still could end up back with the Chiefs.
“I think you have to let him go and test the market. And here’s why I’m saying this: He’s not going to sign a contract for anything less than 16 million a year,” Ginnitti said. “That’s what Harrison Smith got in Minnesota (four years, $64 million), which was way too much for his age and his production. So again, that broke that market. I think you have to go and let somebody try to pay him that and when it doesn’t happen, and I don’t think it will happen, you bring him back and you say, ‘Look, here’s the terms. We’ve got to get this done. We want you back here for three more years.’
“But I do think it’s gone past the point of return in terms of getting something done early. So I do think he’ll walk. I think he’ll test the market and make some negotiations elsewhere. And hopefully it works out for the Chiefs in the end.”
Important to Chiefs defense
Palmer concluded his report on the NFL Network by saying what an important part Mathieu plays in the Chiefs defense.
“I’ve talked privately to a variety of (Chiefs) players on that defensive side of the ball that just told me, “This defense doesn’t work without Tyrann Mathieu. How we disguise everything really doesn’t work without him on the field,’” Palmer said
“You saw when he didn’t play in that (AFC Divisional playoff) game against the Bills, how they were unable to actually do certain coverages. You mentioned him being an MVP this season. He’s been a team MVP twice for this team with Patrick Mahomes on this team. It shows you how valuable he is to thr defense of this team and if he doesn’t come back, there has to be some big changes about how that defense operates.”
Here is Palmer’s report on the NFL Network’s NFL Now.
This story was originally published February 18, 2022 at 9:53 AM.
