Tyrann Mathieu has yet to sign with his next team, but a new detail has emerged regarding his exit from Kansas City. As Sam McDowell of the Kansas City Star reports, the Chiefs didn’t offer him a new contract when his old one expired last month. 
Instead, the team focused its attention on Justin Reid as a replacement. The former Texan signed a three-year, $31.5MM contract to take over the free safety spot. While Reid doesn’t have the pedigree of Mathieu, he is nearly five years younger. When asked about the team’s decision to move on, Mathieu said he it left him “heartbroken”.
“To be honest, if they would’ve offered me [Reid’s] deal, obviously I would’ve tried to negotiate, but if that’s where they drew their line in the sand, I probably would’ve took it” he added. “Agents are going to do their thing, but at the end of the day, it’s the player’s decision whether to sign it or not.”
After three seasons in Kansas City – which included two Pro Bowl and All-Pro nods, as well as a Super Bowl title – the 29-year-old is on the move for the third time in his career. He has met with the Saints and Eagles this week, but they aren’t expected to be the only teams vying for him. On a short-term deal in particular, the LSU product has a chance to earn close to the $14MM he averaged per year with the Chiefs.
Kansas City’s offseason has seen a number of notable moves. From the usage of the franchise tag on left tackle Orlando Brown Jr., to the restructured contract of Frank Clark, to the Tyreek Hill trade, the team’s cap situation has changed significantly. It didn’t come as a complete surprise, fiscally speaking, that the former two moves took priority, but it is noteworthy nevertheless that the Chiefs apparently remained as steadfast in their decision to move on from Mathieu as they did.
Yeah, I don’t get this one at all. I remember the Rams did this same thing with some LB that was getting old. I think his name might’ve been Fletcher or something and lo and behold, they spent the next 10 years replacing that guy over and over and over again, while this Fletch “kid” nailed down the middle LB spot in Washington for all those years. Yeah, this is a mystery to me. Why KC would do this?
London Fletcher… That guy was great. Undrafted out of some tiny school, he played at a very very high level for like a decade after the rams let him go….
huge difference between being a 30 year old rum stuffing ILB in a 4-3 system, compared to a 30 year old safety.
yes he still has a great year left, but is probably trying to get a multi year deal before settling on a 1-year high pay deal.
I think the Steelers were offering around 1-year 8 mil .. could circle back and take that offer , but probably hoping a team like the Eagles or Saints offers him something like a 3 year 16 Mil since his market will be closer to the minimum at age 31 next off-season
I think it has more to do with this guy looking for the best contract possible.
you’re not going to offer 4mil to someone looking for 8 or 10
The article said he didn’t receive an offer.
Perhaps you didn’t understand – there is no sense in even MAKING a reasonable offer if the player is looking for stupid money.
They went with a guy 5 yrs younger but also probably had an idea of his asking price and didn’t waste his or their time.
I think the Chiefs are going to take a major step back this year. Division is tough. Losing Tyreeks speed (biggest difference maker in the league) and Mathieus leadership will really hurt.
Will London Fletcher make it to the HOF? He was very good for a long time but never seemed to get the accolades he should have.
Did they not make him an offer at all? Or is it just him saying they didn’t give him the offer Reid got or he’d have taken it?
No offer whatsoever
a lowball offer would be disrespectful and pointless
I think the Chiefs are keeping their powder dry until they see what the AFC West really has to offer. No sense wasting crazy money if the hype doesn’t match the reality.
he also admitted he took some plays off last year and called the Chiefs fan base toxic. that may have been part of the teams decision. i definitely wish him the best. good dude