Tag: Tyrann Mathieu

Saints involved in two trade proposals that would reshape the NFL

This B/R writer says two New Orleans Saints veterans getting traded to the AFC North could impact the NFL playoff picture:

Rebuilds typically lead to an exodus of veteran players as the team gets younger. As the New Orleans Saints begin their rebuild, reload or whatever they want to call it, they too will get younger.

Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport saw two Saints veterans as bargaining chips. He cooked up six trades that could reshape the league, and New Orleans was involved with two of them. Davenport had the Saints sending two players to the AFC North: Derek Carr to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tyrann Mathieu to the Baltimore Ravens.

Carr to the Steelers would probably make the fans in black and yellow pretty upset and fans donning the black and gold may rejoice. Carr would feel very similar to the acquisition of Russell Wilson. He’s been discussed already as a possible trade target for Pittsburgh.

While Davenport is right to say the Steelers showed they don’t need an elite quarterback to be competitive, their limitations on offense still showed. On the note of competitiveness, Davenport pointed out “the opportunity to play for a contender” could entice Carr to waive his no-trade clause.

Davenport pairs Mathieu with Baltimore to help a struggling pass defense. This trade may become less likely because the Ravens improved mightily after moving Hamilton to deep safety. It would allow Mathieu to play closer to the box, but Baltimore may not be in the market for safety help anymore.

But what would the Saints get out of this? In terms of draft picks, Davenport’s trades have New Orleans getting a fourth-round pick in 2025 and a conditional pick in 2026 for Carr, plus a fifth-round pick in 2025. As for the salary cap benefits? Trading Carr before June 1 saves the Saints $11.3 million. But trading Mathieu saves only $16,000. That’s it. The team would still be paying $11.3 million this year if they trade Mathieu before June 1. They might be better off holding onto him.

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Tyrann Mathieu salary: How much money did Saints FS make this season?

How much money did the New Orleans Saints pay safety Tyrann Mathieu this season, and what are they on track to give him next year?

While a lot of the conversation around the New Orleans Saints is focused on the future, there are a handful of veterans that will still be around and won’t be content with tanking.

One such player is veteran safety Tyrann Mathieu, who just wrapped up his third season with the Saints and 12th in the NFL. He may not be the ‘honey badger’ anymore, but he was still one of the few players on the defense that was a true playmaker last season.

Mathieu finished the year with 62 tackles, one of which went for a loss. He was tied for the team lead in interceptions with three. In all three campaigns spent in New Orleans, he has at least tied for the most on the team.

This is how much the veteran defensive end made this season, according to the experts with OverTheCap:

Tyrann Mathieu 2024-2025 salary

Mathieu reworked a two-year, $13.75 million contract extension before this past season that will keep him in New Orleans through the end of 2025. Though he will be off team team, he will be on the salary cap for three more years.

His base salary in 2024 was $1,500,000. His total cap hit amounted to $5,567,000, though when accounting for the prorated signing bonus of $4,067,000.

How much will Tyrann Mathieu make next season?

His base salary will be $6,250,000 and then his prorated signing bonus of $4,067,000 will push his cap hit to $11,317,000.

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B/R predicts Saints will trade another defensive back this offseason

Just months after dealing Marshon Lattimore, Bleacher Report predicts the Saints will move another starter from their secondary, but the salary cap won’t make that easy:

Change is coming soon for the New Orleans Saints, who are actively looking to find their second head coach since the departure of Sean Payton.

With a change in leadership, there is always the potential for roster turnover during the offseason. And when you are over $50 million over the salary cap, the likelihood of this does increase a bit.

Maurice Moton of Bleacher Report recently predicted six league trades that could take shape this offseason. Of these six trades, one of them includes arguably the most celebrated Saint currently on the roster.

A true New Orleanian himself.

Moton predicts that the New Orleans Saints will send safety Tyrann Mathieu to the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for a fifth-round selection in the upcoming NFL draft.

Here’s what he had to say about the potential move:

New Orleans is coming off a 5-12 campaign. In 2025, the new regime could embrace a youth movement while currently $52.3 million over the cap threshold. If so, Tyrann Mathieu may be one of the team’s top trade assets.

Mathieu will be 33 in May, but he’s yet to experience a decline. The 12th-year veteran performs at a high level, and he’s durable.

Mathieu has recorded at least three interceptions in six consecutive campaigns while allowing a passer rating of 77.4 or below in his last three terms. He’s suited up for every game since signing with the Saints in 2022.

Playoff-caliber teams may value Mathieu’s leadership qualities, experience on a Super Bowl-winning team and his elite ball production. He could be one of the missing pieces to a squad trying to open its title-contending window.

In the second half of the 2024 season, safety Tony Jefferson played a prominent role in the Los Angeles Chargers defense, but he’s made little impact. Since Week 13, he’s logged 27 tackles, one for loss.

If the Chargers want a versatile defensive back who can bring more to the secondary, Mathieu fits the bill as one of the league’s top ball hawks.”

Moton starts by highlighting the idea of a “full-blown roster rebuild” under a new head coach, with a veteran roster and cap restraints. He does also mention that the team will hire a new general manager as well, but this will not be the case barring anything unforeseen as current GM Mickey Loomis will look to maintain his role for the 2025 season. Moton then discussed about Matheiu’s high level of play and durability at 33 years old, making him an enticing option for playoff teams.

Mathieu’s veteran leadership and Super Bowl experience could be attractive qualities for teams trying to enter into their contending window. Since joining the Saints in 2022, he has recorded 10 interceptions during his tenure, tied for fifth-most in the NFL since then.

But the timing makes a trade complicated. Moving Mathieu before June 1 would only save the team $16,000 in salary cap space while leaving behind more than $11.3 million in dead money. If the Saints wait until June 2 (or later) to trade him, they would save $7.25 million this season while paying just over $4 million in dead money in 2025. Another $7.2 million would be on the books as dead money in 2026. Can the Chargers wait that long, and can the Saints justify waiting until after this year’s draft to get compensation for him? Can they get under the cap without touching his contract?

It would be a tough pill for Saints fans to swallow, letting the homegrown product go after just three seasons. But could they entertain the possibility of moving on from the Honey Badger if given the right offer? We can’t rule anything out with big changes on the way.

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Bengals suggested as trade partner for All-Pro Saints defender

Should the Bengals go after a win-now trade like this?

As a win-now team with head coach Zac Taylor seemingly on his last chance after getting to retool the coaching staff under him, the Cincinnati Bengals come up often in trade speculation right now.

So it goes for a team that appears just a few pieces away from getting right back to contention.

Another example? Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox suggested the Bengals as a potential trade suitor for New Orleans defensive back Tyrann Mathieu:

Mathieu started all 17 games for New Orleans and finished with 62 tackles, seven passes defended and three interceptions. He allowed an opposing passer rating of just 76.4 in coverage.

Mathieu might be 32 now, but his cap hit would range in the affordable zone for a team trying to fix things quickly, depending on how much the Saints would ask for via trade, anyway.

But the point about the secondary being a need stands — Geno Stone struggled in Lou Anarumo’s scheme and Jordan Battle didn’t see the field much. Dax Hill, Cam Taylor-Britt and DJ Turner are question marks at corner and Mike Hilton is a free agent.

In other words, while aging, Mathieu would bring a known veteran commodity that provides flexibility and leadership.

Then again, ideas like this would also hinge greatly on whoever happens to be the team’s next defensive coordinator, too.

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PFF names three Saints as prime offseason trade candidates

Pro Football Focus highlighted three New Orleans Saints starters as prime offseason trade candidates, but could any of them actually be moved?

The New Orleans Saints have a long offseason ahead of them with plenty of questions to be answered.

They are not only looking for a new head coach, but any sort of direction for the future. That likely means a rebuild is on the way and now could be the time to move on from a couple of veterans.

Pro Football Focus’ Bradley Locker recently put together a list of 15 trade candidates for this offseason and three Saints players made the cut. Locker listed quarterback Derek Carr, offensive tackle Trevor Penning and safety Tyrann Mathieu.

Carr could be a hard sell (especially given his no-trade clause), but there are going to be a handful of teams desperate for a passer next season. If they could convince anyone to take him off of their hands for any amount, they could save some money. Opening up for snaps for Spencer Rattler should probably be their biggest priority for next year anyway, giving him a real shot to perform with a healthier offense.

Penning is also a case of, New Orleans should probably move on if they can get someone to trade for him. He was the starting right tackle last year, but still has a long way before he should be considered a solid player. Perhaps someone could value him as a guard, allowing the Saints to pick up anything back for him rather than him leaving as a free agent after the year.

Mathieu makes the most sense. He is still at least an average safety at this point of his career and could start for a handful of playoff teams already. Trading him away and allowing him to compete for another Super Bowl ring could be a win-win.

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Saints’ projected salary cap space after Ryan Ramczyk news

Ryan Ramczyk agreed to cut his 2025 salary this week, which sets him up for retirement. But how does it set up the Saints and the salary cap?

Ryan Ramczyk agreed to cut his 2025 salary this week, which sets him up for retirement. But how does it set up the New Orleans Saints and the salary cap? Let’s break it down.

To start, Ramczyk agreed to waive his $18 million base salary for the 2025 season in exchange for the veteran’s minimum at $1,255,000. Because he’s being forced into a medical retirement, he isn’t getting that money either way, but doing it like this gives the Saints immediate savings of about $16.7 million.

That left Ramczyk with a $12.3 million cap hit, and it puts the Saints at roughly $326 million in cap commitments for 2025. The NFL hasn’t yet announced where the cap will be this offseason but most experts agree it will fall at about $270 million. That means the Saints are probably in the hole by $56 million, or somewhere close to it.

This was just the first of several expected moves they’ll make this offseason. Restructures are coming for young, productive players — guys like Erik McCoy (saving up to $6.7 million), Cesar Ruiz ($5.2 million), and Carl Granderson ($5.2 million). Tougher decisions are ahead for older veterans like Cameron Jordan, Taysom Hill, Demario Davis and Tyrann Mathieu, all of whom have salary cap hits between $20 million and $10 million.

And the elephant in the room is Derek Carr. He has the biggest cap hit on the team at $51.4 million, and he’s made it clear he won’t accept a pay cut. The Saints could restructure his deal and save $30 million but that effectively locks him in as their starting quarterback for 2025 and 2026. Don’t bet on him waiving his no-trade clause to join a new team, either. It’ll cost as much to cut him as to keep him, at least until June 2, but that would mean finding a way to get under the cap and work through free agency and the NFL draft with a $51.4 million albatross around the neck. That just isn’t realistic.

The decisions Mickey Loomis has made have put the Saints in a bind. Overpaying Carr like this and restructuring aging players so many times has taken a toll, and now the Saints have to pay it.

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Darren Rizzi talk player injuries, support he’s had as interim HC

Darren Rizzi reflected on his time as interim head coach of the New Orleans Saints and shared details on Foster Moreau’s injury after Sunday’s season-ending loss:

Darren Rizzi and the New Orleans Saints did not get the outcome they were after on Sunday, despite giving the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a run for their money.

The Saints held the momentum for the majority of the 27-19 loss, but there were some low points, including injuries. Those included when tight end Foster Moreau went down with a knee injury and safety Tyrann Mathieu suffering a concussion late in the fourth quarter.

Rizzi spoke to that when he met with the media following the game.

“(Foster Moreau) is dealing with a knee injury,” Rizzi said. “I do not know any of the details yet. It’s just way too early. But I do know he got a knee injury in there in that last two-minute drill.”

The interim head coach who was thrust into action when the Saints parted ways with Dennis Allen also spoke to the way that he feels he has been received by the players in his time there.

He said that the team will go through the motions of the exit phase and that he will have a sit-down with the ownership and the front office.

“No matter what happens with me, they have to through with The NFL interview process. I know I’ll be a part of that. But, other than that, I’ll start getting a few days off and reflecting on things and go from there. Right now, I’m hurting for those guys in the locker room.”

Rizzi went on to explain that the last game of the season “always sucks” unless you are the team winning the Super Bowl, and that for him, he will never forget some of the special moments and special things that have been said to him in this time.

“They’re really emotional. There were some guys that were emotional postgame that usually are not, and that makes me emotional,” Rizzi said as he got teary-eyed.

“I love those guys and I love that locker room. Those guys have been unbelievably supportive of me. That’s just a huge personal thank you to the locker room.”

It remains to be seen to just exactly what will unfold moving forward, but it’s safe to expect the winds of change to blow strongly as the Saints continue through an era of transition.

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Saints rule out Tyrann Mathieu (concussion) late vs. Buccaneers

The Saints have ruled out veteran safety Tyrann Mathieu with a concussion late in the fourth quarter against the Buccaneers:

The New Orleans Saints lost a key player midway through the fourth quarter during Sunday’s divisional rivalry game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when safety Tyrann Mathieu went down with a concussion.

It came at a particularly bad time when the Saints were trailing by just a point, after holding the momentum for the majority of the game, too.

Mathieu totaled two tackles, one of which was solo, when went down. The Saints will look to rely on Jordan Howden, who came down with a critical interception earlier in the game, to fill the large void of the Honey Badger for the rest of the way.

Mathieu entered the game with 60 combined tackles (46 solo), two forced fumbles and three interceptions this season.

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Marshon Lattimore’s former Saints’ teammates weigh in on him making debut

What do Marshon Lattimore’s former teammates think of him making his debut against the Saints?

Marshon Lattimore spent almost eight seasons with the New Orleans Saints. A first-round pick in the 2017 NFL draft, Lattimore won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award and was named to the Pro Bowl four times.

Last month, the struggling Saints sent Lattimore to the Washington Commanders. Washington, desperate for cornerback help, sent three draft picks to New Orleans for a Lattimore and a draft pick.

Unfortunately, Lattimore has yet to suit up for Washington. He’s missed all four games since the trade with a hamstring injury. However, he’s trending to make his Washington debut on Sunday against, you guessed it, the New Orleans Saints.

After spending so many years with one team, Lattimore has several close friends on New Orleans’ roster. What do some of those Saints’ veterans think about facing their longtime former teammate?

Longtime defensive end Cam Jordan joked about Lattimore waiting to play for the first time with Washington against the Saints.

Defensive back Tyrann Mathieu played with Lattimore for the past three seasons and looks forward to seeing his old teammate.

Lattimore will not have to face Saints star receiver Chris Olave, who has been out for several weeks due to a concussion. He should see plenty of wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who is averaging 24 yards per reception since he signed with New Orleans in October.

Tyrann Mathieu discusses Marshon Lattimore returning to play the Saints

Tyrann Mathieu discussed the return of Marshon Lattimore to the Caesars Superdome this week as the Saints take on the Commanders in Week 15:

Tyrann Mathieu was one of the prominent New Orleans Saints players with a media appearance on Wednesday, and during this, he discussed a few topics, with one of them being the return of Marshon Lattimore with the Washington Commanders to the Caesars Superdome this week. Lattimore was traded prior to the Saints’ second matchup with the Atlanta Falcons, and while he has not seen the field as of yet post-trade, he is likely to make his debut against the Saints in Week 15.

Regarding this return, Mathieu said: “Yeah I’m excited man, I saw he was a full participant, y’know so, I’m pretty sure he gonna be ready for this one, no doubt about it.”

Ultimately Mathieu and Lattimore only ended up playing together for two and a half seasons or so, but they both have been integral parts of the Saints’ secondary, and were definitely appreciated by fans in their time here. Now Lattimore will have the chance to go back up against his former team in his former home stadium, with a new 8-5 team that looks to be on the up-and-up behind former LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels.

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