Nearly a month into free agency, Tyrann Mathieu‘s market continues to move slowly. But the three-time All-Pro has now seen several suitors emerge since the calendar turned to April. Two more revealed themselves recently.
The Rams and Steelers are interested in the veteran cover man, who has already met with the Saints and Eagles. Mathieu, understandably, is also believed to be interested in joining the defending champions, ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano said during a recent SportsCenter appearance (via 247sports.com). As of Wednesday, the Steelers hold just more than $13MM in cap space; the Rams sit at $7MM.
[RELATED: Chiefs Did Not Make Offer To Mathieu]
Mathieu (30 in May) and the Rams have been in contact recently, though Graziano noted a deal might not come together until after the draft. That post-draft juncture could become relevant. Shortly after the draft, free agents added no longer count toward the league’s compensatory formula. That early-May date annually triggers more free agency activity, with teams free to pursue players without additions affecting their 2023 draft ledgers.
The Steelers were connected to Mathieu in March, and interest remains, per Bob Labriola of the team’s website. It does not sound like Pittsburgh is willing to pay Mathieu at a rate similar to his most recent Kansas City deal (three years, $42MM), but the team has been unusually active on the market this year. Beyond Mitchell Trubisky, the Steelers added a few starters in Myles Jack, Levi Wallace and James Daniels. Four-year safety starter Terrell Edmunds remains unsigned. A Mathieu arrival would commence at an interesting point, with Minkah Fitzpatrick on the cusp of a monster extension.
Lucrative deals headline the Rams’ defensive depth chart, leading to another March role-player exodus. The Rams let Darious Williams, Sebastian Joseph-Day and Austin Corbett walk in free agency before trading Robert Woods. They found room for Bobby Wagner, however. Mathieu, who was 3-for-3 in Pro Bowl nods as a Chief, would represent a fourth player with multiple All-Pro honors on Los Angeles’ defense. At safety, the Rams have their 2021 starters (Jordan Fuller and Taylor Rapp) under contract. Each is coming off a season-ending injury.
This is get old they both since free agency started Rams have no money and the Steelers have no money
Confused comment I by am your.
@ville I’m dead. Felt the same reading his comment
Post. Or post not. There is no try.
Angels fan…nuff said
For the Steelers it has to be more about Mathieu’s asking price than the compensation formula. While typically the Steelers aren’t players in free agency, they have signed enough guys that they can pretty much guarantee they aren’t getting a comp pick next year.
I also strongly believe the Steelers interest will depend on who’s sitting on the board at pick 20.
Compensation formula should have nothing to do with this. None of their own FA got a big contract and they gave out a lot of money. Zero chance they get a comp pick.
They’ll get something for Juju…BUT it’ll be offset by Daniels
The Steelers notoriously do not pay any attention to that anyways.
They do pay some attention to it. Moncreif got cut a couple years ago in week 10 because if they hadn’t cut him it would have cost them the 3rd they got for Leveon Bell.
Ok let me rephrase, when it comes to adding players during FA, the Steelers are notorious for not paying attention to that. I believe Colbert has even said as much.
The Steelers have had a nice free agency period, but this is simply a must-sign, no doubt about it. Whatever creativity it may take, it’s a move that essentially rebuilds the secondary and together with a formidable linebacking crew and at least Cam up front, can contend with the incredible group of quarterbacks in the AFC
I just hope they get it done
Steelers aren’t winning anything with the scrub QB’s they have. Don’t understand why he would even consider that. Now that Ben is gone he wouldn’t have to worry about his ladies being around.