METAIRIE, La. “Tyrant Mathieu is coming home.”
A source confirmed to ESPN that the New Orleans Saints have agreed to a contract with All-Pro Safe, who grew up in New Orleans and participated in LSU. Details of the agreement were not immediately available.
Mathieu, who turns 30 on May 13, played with the Saints on their team in April after not being re-signed by Kansas City Chiefs as a free agent. He also met virtually with the Philadelphia Eagles. But New Orleans’ need for safety on strike increased when they didn’t pick one during the NFL draft over the weekend.
In addition, free agents who sign after Monday afternoon will no longer consider the NFL’s draft compensation formula – which could help boost the market for other big names who remain unsigned.
The Saints lost both of their starting security this off-season when Marcus Williams signed with the Baltimore Ravens and Malcolm Jenkins retired. But now they have replaced both, having previously signed with former New York Jets defender Marcus May in a free agency.
Unlike Williams and Jenkins, who were truly free and strong defenders, Mathieu and May could have been more interchangeable in the defense of new head coach Dennis Allen. Extreme safety CJ Gardner-Johnson, who is skilled at covering slot receivers, also remains in New Orleans.
The Saints visited both Mathieu and former LSU successor Jarvis Landry last month, but did not sign any players – retaining the opportunity to reconsider negotiations if they do not meet these draft needs.
The Saints turned to the position of the successor in a big way, exchanging for Chris Olive from the state of Ohio in round 1 of the draft. But when asked if they remained “mandatory” on the list, General Manager Mickey Loomis said on Saturday: “Yes. One of them, for sure … You can guess that. You probably already know that. “
Mathieu is tied for fifth place in the league with 13 interceptions in the last three seasons with the Chiefs, including three in 2021 – with one returned for a touchdown – as the nine-year veteran was selected for the Pro Bowl for a second consecutive season.
However, the Chiefs moved from Mathieu when they signed Justin Reed to a three-year contract for $ 31.5 million with a free agency.
The three-time All-Pro and three Pro Bowl selections have 26 rebounds – three touchdown returns – 76 saves, 610 rebounds and 10 nine-season jacks for the Chiefs, Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals, who selected him in the third round. of the draft for 2013
ESPN’s Adam Teicher contributed to this report.
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