Tyrann Mathieu's homecoming helps fill hole on New Orleans Saints roster

Three-time All-Pro has played free and strong safety in his nine-year career

May 04, 2022 at 03:34 PM

John DeShazier

Senior Writer

Honey.

He's home.

Unrestricted free agent safety Tyrann “Honey Badger” Mathieu, a New Orleans native who is a Super Bowl champion and three-time All-Pro, reached an agreement to play for his hometown NFL team, the team announced Tuesday, May 3.

The addition of Mathieu, who attended St. Augustine High and was an All-American at LSU in Baton Rouge, helps fill one of the Saints' remaining voids on the roster.

Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis hinted at the conclusion of the NFL Draft on Saturday that New Orleans still had areas it needed to address, and that they could be handled in free agency. Mathieu brings to the franchise a 29-year-old, three-time Pro Bowler who has 26 career interceptions (three returned for touchdowns), four forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries in a nine-year career that has spanned three franchises: Arizona, Houston and Kansas City.

Mathieu, who helped Kansas City win Super Bowl LIV in 2019 and helped the Chiefs advance to Super Bowl LV the next season with two of his All-Pro seasons, totaled half of his career interceptions in three seasons (2019-21) with the Chiefs. He also has 76 passes defensed, 41 tackles for loss, 25 quarterback hits and 10 sacks.

Mathieu joins a safety position for the Saints that includes P.J. Williams, Marcus Maye and Justin Evans.

A starter in 120 of 129 regular-season games, Mathieu has displayed the versatility that Saints Coach Dennis Allen covets, playing free and strong safety during his career.

Meet the Team Photos: Tyrann Mathieu joins the New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent safety Tyrann Mathieu on Wednesday, May 4, 2022. Check out Tyrann in action with the LSU Tigers, Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans, and Kansas City Chiefs during his career.