NFL insider provides latest update on Tyrann Mathieu, Kansas City Chiefs

As the NFL approaches the league new year on March 16, the Kansas City Chiefs are facing the prospect of losing one of their top DBs and team leaders in Tyrann Mathieu. He’s one of the league’s most coveted free agents this offseason and unlikely to return to Kansas City, according to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport.

“My understanding is that he is going to test the market,” Rapoport shared at the NFL combine. “There’s a chance that he’s back in Kansas City but they have so many priorities. I know he’s a huge, huge part of their time so, we’ll see what kind of competition they get from elsewhere. Still can play at a really high level but really it’s the leadership that he could bring to any locker room. He’s going to be coveted, probably breaks double digits for his next salary.”

Mathieu, who turns 30 this year, signed a three-year, $42 million deal with Kansas City in 2019. Although the former LSU star has expressed interest in staying with the Chiefs, the organization has other considerations this offseason.

Mathieu: ‘Replacing me is easy’

Even though Mathieu has had a good run with the Chiefs, he’s not going to acquiesce for a substandard deal to stay put. The DB took to Twitter to remind the team of his worth.

“Replacing me is easy,” Mathieu posted on Twitter last week. “Getting them to do the same thing I did is damn near impossible.”

While Mathieu did not receive any recognition this season from the NFL, the Chiefs voted him MVP of the team. A win over quarterback Patrick Mahomes, wide receiver Tyreek Hill and tight end Travis Kelce proves how valuable the team perceives him to be.

The standout safety put together a strong year for the Chiefs this season, making 76 total tackles, three interceptions, three fumble recoveries, and a sack. He helped lead Kansas City to the AFC championship game – where it lost to the Cincinnati Bengals.

A former On3 Consensus four-star recruit out of the Class of 2010, Mathieu has tallied 213 tackles and 13 interceptions over three seasons with the Chiefs. The 2021-22 season was his ninth in the NFL. He was with the Arizona Cardinals from 2013-2017 and Houston Texans in 2018.