Category: Tyrann Mathieu

Tyrann Mathieu eager to reunite with Willie Gay: ‘The city is going to love him’

Tyrann Mathieu is eager to reunite with his former Chiefs teammate Willie Gay, who he sees as a great fit in New Orleans: ‘The city is going to love him’

Tyrann Mathieu is eager to reunite with Willie Gay. The Kansas City Chiefs linebacker joined Mathieu (and other old teammates like Tanoh Kpassagnon, Khalen Saunders, and Ugo Amadi) on the New Orleans Saints this offseason, and Mathieu says he believes Gay will be a great fit. He discussed what the free agent pickup has to offer on the Green Light with Chris Long podcast.

“It’s amazing. Like coach says, it clears up the picture for you,” Mathieu said, considering the role Gay will play in Dennis Allen’s defense. “He is athletic, man. I think in the game today, when you have linebackers who can run just as fast as a slot receiver, who can handle the Darren Wallers in space, like it gives your defense an advantage, you know what I mean?”

The Saints had some trouble guarding tight ends and slot receivers last year. Pete Werner struggled in those assignments, and Gay will be competing with him for the starting job next to Demario Davis. Pro Football Focus charting found Werner allowed a career-high 470 receiving yards last season (another outlet, Pro Football Research, had him at 450), mostly to tight ends like Waller, T.J. Hockenson, and Luke Musgrave. Gay gives them a better option in those matchups.

Mathieu continued: “He’s going to be big-time for us. I think him coming in on a one-year deal, that’s going to allow him to be hungry, to be motivated. I already reached out to him, kind of talked to him, and let him know.”

And those movement skills in coverage make up just one area Mathieu points to as a strength. He also anticipates Gay bringing positive energy to the locker room, and for the linebacker to quickly endear himself to a new fanbase.

“The city is going to love him. Because he is so high energy, right, all day long. I think the fans are going to love him. Obviously the team will love him. He’s a good dude, a great teammate, he’s one of those linebackers that you’ve got to find a spot for him,” Mathieu said. “On third downs, can’t take him off the field.”

Gay himself has said he hopes to get on the field with Davis and Werner when the Saints run their base defense, but he might be their best bet at stopping the pass on third downs and in obvious passing situations, as Mathieu alluded to. That’s something they’ll be working to find out in training camp this summer. Wherever he’s lining up, Gay is expected to make a positive impact. Those expectations are coming from veteran teammates like Mathieu.

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Tyrann Mathieu has a ton of respect for Bijan Robinson: ‘He’s going to be special’

Tyrann Mathieu may play for the Saints, but he knows a quality opponent when he sees one. And he has a ton of respect for Falcons star Bijan Robinson:

Tyrann Mathieu takes a lot of pride in playing for his hometown New Orleans Saints, but he knows a quality rival when he sees one. And he’s eager to compete against Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson. Mathieu pointed to the second-year pro during a recent appearance on the Green Light with Chris Long podcast when taking stock of his opponents in the NFC South.

And Mathieu offered some lofty comparisons for Robinson and his unique skill set: “Man, he’s going to be special. Marshall Faulk, you know, Edgerrin James, you know what I mean? Like, LaDainian Tomlinson, you know? And I didn’t think the Falcons really used him as good as they should have last year, but, man, he’s going to be good. He’s going to be real good.”

Robinson proved to be a dangerous dual-threat running back in 2023. He ran 214 times for 976 rushing yards, scoring 4 touchdown runs, while being targeted 86 times as a receiver; he caught 58 passes for another 487 receiving yards and 4 more touchdown receptions. He’s one of five rookie running backs to have 900-plus rushing yards and 400-plus receiving yards as a rookie since 2010, and one of 16 to do so in the history of pro football. Mathieu knows his history — James (1999) and Faulk (1994) are both in that group. Tomlinson (2001) was 33 receiving yards shy of joining them.

Mathieu’s Saints have gone 3-1 against the Falcons in his two years on the team, and they were a foolish Derek Carr pick-six in scoring position from beating them in Atlanta last year. But he sees Robinson as someone who could be a problem in the years ahead.

Robinson broke out with his first multi-touchdown game as a rookie against the Saints in Week 11, scoring a 10-yard run and a 26-yard reception while totaling 123 yards from scrimmage. Mathieu and his teammates did a better job limiting his gains on the ground in the Week 18 rematch (Robinson ran 11 times for just 28 yards) but he took an early grab-and-go pass out of the backfield 71 yards for a touchdown. They adjusted, though, and he finished with 32 yards on his other 6 catches.

Don’t expect first-year Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson to make it as easy for them by splitting Robinson’s touches with other players. As Mathieu alluded to, former Atlanta head coach Arthur Smith was widely criticized for playing veterans like Tyler Allgeier and Cordarrelle Patterson ahead of the running back they drafted 8th overall. The Falcons are excited to have Kirk Cousins at quarterback after a couple of years in the desert, but they’ll be counting on Robinson to shoulder a heavy load in 2024.

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Tyrann Mathieu hoping to retire with Saints, leave a strong legacy behind

Tyrann Mathieu hopes to retire with the Saints and leave a strong legacy behind, but says he’s ‘looking forward to the next two years’

The New Orleans Saints pulled off the rare deal that makes both sides happy in the NFL on Thursday by negotiating a contract extension with veteran safety Tyrann Mathieu. One of their best defenders will have the opportunity to close out his career playing for his hometown team, while the Saints get some much-needed salary cap flexibility in reworking his contract.

“It is a great opportunity for me, and I am looking forward to the next two years,” Mathieu told local reporters in a conference call.

When asked if he could potentially retire with the Saints when the time comes, Mathieu responded with “Hope so,” while reiterating that his focus is on winning games and leading the team to success: “I hope and pray I can continue to be a positive influence on the young guys.”

Mathieu acknowledged that the last two years had been “underwhelming” for Saints fans, who are currently tied for the fifth-longest active playoff drought around the league. But he expressed confidence that they can get where they want to go with what he believes is a quality roster and coaching staff.

And winning with the Saints matters to him. Mathieu knows exactly how passionate the fanbase is and he hopes to make them proud. He said he would’ve taken a pay cut to stay in New Orleans and continue giving back to the community, but getting more security for his future was a welcome bonus: “I’m from here. It’s a blessing to play here.”

But giving back to the city is what he’s looking forward to most. While he’s grateful for fans of his work on the field, the opportunity to be a positive influence on young people and give back to the community is his next ambition. That’s how he sees the path to establishing a long-lasting legacy.

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Saints reach agreement with Tyrann Mathieu on a contract extension

The Saints reached an agreement with Tyrann Mathieu on a new contract, keeping him in New Orleans through 2025:

This is good news: The New Orleans Saints reached an agreement with veteran safety Tyrann Mathieu on a new contract, which will keep him on the team through 2025. NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill first reported news of his Mathieu’s deal, adding that it will lower his salary cap hit in 2024 from $12,067,000 “to about $5.5 million.”

But this isn’t just a restructure. It’s an extension, which CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson reports that his new deal is valued at $13 million. Mathieu was already under contract for 2024 but it was the last year of his deal, so he and the Saints agreed to add another year to it. He will now be a free agent in 2026 with the option to continue playing after his 33rd birthday or call it a career.

He’s been a good pickup for New Orleans. Mathieu has played 100% of the team’s defensive snaps in 2022 and 99% of them in 2023 while being credited with 7 interceptions, 17 passes deflected, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery to go along with 166 combined tackles through two years. With Marcus Maye being released at the start of the new league year, Mathieu is going to have to take on even more of a leadership role in the Saints’ secondary. He’s done well in that role thus far, and can close out his career doing it for his hometown.

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Tyrann Mathieu is the Saints’ Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee

Tyrann Mathieu has been nominated for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award for the second time, this time playing for his hometown team

The New Orleans Saints have nominated safety Tyrann Mathieu for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award. For many around the league this is considered the most prestigious award the NFL hands out every year. The award is based on a player’s contributions in the community away from the field as well as their on-field production. This award is placed on a pedestal because it values who the player truly is.

This is Mathieu’s second time being nominated. In 2021, Mathieu was the Kansas City Chiefs’ nominee. Clearly, he ingratiates himself into the community he plays in. That was no hard task in New Orleans, as coming to the Saints meant returning to his hometown. His involvement and impact on the city has only grown since joining the Saints.

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Baldy’s Breakdowns highlights Tyrann Mathieu’s big game vs. Falcons

Baldy’s Breakdowns highlighted Tyrann Mathieu’s big game against the Falcons. The 11th-year pro is still a playmaker:

NFL analyst Brian Baldinger is known for his enthusiasm and keen eye, and he knows a great player when he sees one. The New Orleans Saints may have fallen short against the Atlanta Falcons last week but Baldinger made time to talk up Tyrann Mathieu’s performance.

The 11th-year safety is still making plays. Mathieu did his part to help the Saints compete in Atlanta by twice intercepting quarterback Desmond Ridder and coming through with some much-needed stops in the secondary.

“He’s still doing this kind of stuff,” Baldinger said, focusing on a touchdown-saving tackle against Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson, who had just bowled over one of Mathieu’s teammates. “He just finishes these plays. He’s always been an excellent tackler.”

Baldinger pointed to a big hit on tight end Kyle Pitts later in the game — which is no small feat considering Pitts outweighs Mathieu by about 60 pounds. Pitts didn’t catch another pass throughout the game.

And then there were the interceptions. As Baldinger put it, Mathieu was in the right place at the right time to make a play: “32 career interceptions, 150 starts. What a player. What a career.”

Mathieu has been a great signing for the Saints since he came home to New Orleans. Hopefully the team can do a better job capitalizing on the opportunities he’s giving their offense with these takeaways and stops in the open field. It would be a shame to waste his efforts in the twilight of his career.

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WATCH: Tyrann Mathieu sends the Saints into halftime with crucial interception

WATCH: Tyrann Mathieu sends the Saints into halftime with crucial interception vs. Falcons

The New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons had offensive issues define the first half. Right before teams took to the locker rooms, Desmond Ridder threw his first interception of the day.

The Falcons were driving down the field, looking to push their lead before the end of the half, before Tyrann Mathieu swooped in and took the ball away. It was Mathieu’s second interception of the season and his fifth in a Saints uniform.

The play ended in scuffle after emotions got raised during the drive. A couple of physical runs from Cordarelle Patterson had the two teams chippy already, then Jonnu Smith and Khlaen Saunders got into it. The two players had offsetting penalties and the Saints were able to knee the half out.

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Tyrann Mathieu thought Jimmy Graham was joining the Saints as a coach

When Tyrann Mathieu first ran across Jimmy Graham at the New Orleans Saints facility, he thought Graham was returning to coach like Ted Ginn Jr.:

Tyrann Mathieu, he’s just like us — the New Orleans Saints safety ran into 36-year-old tight end Jimmy Graham at the team facility Tuesday, he told Nola.com’s Rod Walker, and wrongly assumed that Graham had returned to coach the Saints, not catch passes against him in practice. Many fans and observers expected Graham would be signing a one-day retirement contract, or maybe joining the coaching staff as Mathieu did.

Mathieu recounted: “It was funny man, I was in the equipment room and he kind of walked by, and we had some words. You know Ted Ginn was here in the spring, and so obviously I played against both of those guys, I played with Ted in the past. As we’re talking I’m looking at (Graham) and I think he’s about to coach, I ask him what he’s coaching. He says, ‘Nah, I’m playing.’ He kind of surprised me with that one. He looks good. I definitely feel he can help us still.”

Ginn, 38, was invited to join the Saints at training camp as an assistant wide receivers coach, so it wasn’t an unfounded assumption on Mathieu’s part. We’ll see if Graham still has enough left in the tank to help the Saints offense put points on the board and win some games in the fall. That all starts with productive practices during the summer.

Graham was out of football in 2022, but there’s a precedent for late-career tight ends continuing to make an impact. In 2018, the 38-year-old Ben Watson caught 35 passes for 400 yards and a couple of scores with the Saints. Derek Carr completed a pair of touchdown passes to a 38-year-old Jason Witten with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020. Graham is younger than both of them with less wear and tear on his body. Maybe he can make the most of his opportunities in scoring position with the Saints this year.

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25 most important Saints of 2023: No. 10, Tyrann Mathieu

25 most important New Orleans Saints players of 2023: Clocking in at No. 10, Tyrann Mathieu is set to take a big role in the secondary | @DillySanders

The 2023 NFL offseason is in full swing, and with that, training camps edge ever closer to starting. We have seen a new wave of players enter the team both via the draft and free agency, but there is also a large group of returning players from last season as well. This has led to some debates to be had regarding which players will have the largest impact on the roster for the 2023 season.

Each day we will be counting down the 25 most important Saints for the 2023 season. This will be split up into the following categories:

  • Recap of their 2022 season
  • Projecting their 2023 success
  • What is the biggest question mark for them in 2023?

The 10th-ranked player by the Saints Wire staff is safety Tyrann Mathieu:

Tyrann Mathieu breaks down his top five LSU athletes of all time

Tyrann Mathieu breaks down his top five LSU Tigers athletes of all time, admits he’s ‘a little biased’ with top choice

Tyrann Mathieu’s presence on the New Orleans Saints has lived up to expectations — after leading the team in solo tackles and interceptions last season, the veteran safety has continued to lead the charge on and off the field. Mathieu recently coached up dozens of young athletes from the New Orleans community at his Heart of a Badger youth football camp at the Saints’ Metairie practice facility, and afterwards he fielded questions from the local media.

Here’s a fun one. Mathieu made some compelling arguments for his choices when asked to rank his top-five LSU Tigers by Jacob Verdin of The Verdin Verdict sports talk show: