Tyrann Mathieu career timeline: How many teams Saints’ DB has played for and career earnings

Generally speaking, the focal point of NFL fan bases usually revolves around offense. More specifically, fans are the most concerned about their teams quarterback, running back and wide receiver. 

Every so often, though, a defender makes enough of a name for themselves that they force fans to follow them. Sometimes, they are pass rushers who continually dominate offensive lines and terrorize quarterbacks. Other times, they are lockdown cornerbacks or safeties who lay the boom on would-be pass catchers. 

For Tyrann Mathieu, it was a combination of both, mixed with a pretty epic nickname. With that, the Sporting News recaps the NFL safety’s career, including all the stops along his path and his career earnings.

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Where did Tyrann Mathieu go to college?

Mathieu went to Louisiana State University, playing under Les Miles. He saw playing time in all 13 games as a true freshman, and then developed into one of the nation’s best defensive backs.

Mathieu was named the SEC’s Defensive Player of the Year, marking the second consecutive year that the award went to a Tigers defensive back (Patrick Peterson in 2010). Mathieu also won the Chuck Bednarik Award that is given yearly to the best defensive back in college football.  After a dominant 2011 campaign, he finished fifth in Heisman voting. 

It was during his 2011 season that his tenacity on the field, combined with a blonde streak in his hair, earned him the nickname “Honey Badger.”

Unfortunately, Mathieu’s time with LSU was cut short. He was dismissed from the team in 2012 due to a violation of team rules. It was never confirmed, but it was reported that it was the result of a series of failed drug tests. 

Mathieu sat out the entire 2012 season, but declared for the 2013 NFL Draft and took part in the Draft Combine that year. 

Tyrann Mathieu college stats

Mathieu also returned punts in his sophomore season. He had 27 returns and racked up 421 yards and two touchdowns. 

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Tyrann Mathieu draft class

Mathieu was a third-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. If he hadn’t gotten dismissed from LSU, he likely could have been a first round pick, especially with how he has developed in the NFL. The Cardinals drafted him with the 69th overall pick, and he was the 17th defensive back taken.

Defensive backs are split into safeties and cornerbacks once they get to the NFL, but in the draft they are just labeled “DB.” Here are the 16 drafted defensive backs ahead of Mathieu. Of this group, only Darius Slay is still active in the NFL.

2013 Draft Defensive Backs

How many teams has Tyrann Mathieu played for?

Mathieu is one of only two defensive backs taken in the first 80 picks in the 2013 NFL Draft who are still in the league. The 32-year-old is playing in his 12th career season. In total, Mathieu has suited up for four teams in his career:

• Arizona Cardinals
• Houston Texans
• Kansas City Chiefs
• New Orleans Saints

Cardinals (2013-2017)

Arizona drafted Mathieu in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He was reunited with former LSU teammate Patrick Peterson in the secondary. He tore his ACL as a rookie and only played in 13 games. Mathieu still finished with two interceptions. 

His best season in Arizona came in 2015 when he had five interceptions, including a pick six, over 14 games. Mathieu got his first of three Pro Bowl nods that season and was named a First Team All-Pro.

Ahead of the 2016 season, the Cardinals signed Mathieu to a five-year, $62.5 million deal. Initially, this was supposed to keep him with Arizona until 2021, but that didn’t happen. 

Mathieu only played two years of the contract. After the 2017 season, the Cardinals front office asked the safety to take a pay cut. When he refused, they released him. 

Texans (2018)

Mathieu signed a one-year, $7 million deal with the Texans only three days after he was released by the Cardinals. He had an interception in his debut, but only picked up one more that season. 

Chiefs (2019-2021)

Mathieu was a free agent again and this time landed a three-year, $42 million deal with the Chiefs. He was named a First Team All Pro in 2019. He made the Pro Bowl and First-Team All Pro in 2020, and then returned to the Pro Bowl again in 2021. 

Mathieu had at least 62 tackles, three interceptions and six passes defended in each season with Kansas City. Safety is an under appreciated position, but the Honey Badger was considered one of the best safeties in the league during his time with the Chiefs. Mathieu won Super Bowl LIV with Kansas City. 

Saints (2022-present)

Mathieu hit free agency again after the 2021 season. He signed a three-year, $33 million with his hometown Saints. Mathieu was due to play out the final year of his contract in 2024, but New Orleans signed him to a two-year, $13 million extension that is expected to allow Mathieu to finish out his career with the Saints. 

Tyrann Mathieu career earnings

All told over his 11 year career, Mathieu has earned $97,594,901, per Spotrac. Despite playing there the longest, Arizona ranks third on the list of teams that have paid Mathieu the most money. Kansas City leads at $42.03 million and is followed by New Orleans at $24.5 million. The number for the Saints will go up if he plays out his full extension, but that remains to be seen for the 32-year-old.