Tyrann Mathieu

NFL CAREER – This versatile, hard-hitting, playmaking safety and New Orleans native returned home, signing with the Black and Gold after the 2022 NFL Draft and brought extensive experience to the Saints secondary. Mathieu was originally selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round (69th overall) in the 2013 NFL Draft out of LSU and has played for the Cardinals (2013-17), Houston Texans (2018), Kansas City Chiefs (2019-21) and Saints (2022-). In 11 NFL seasons, he has played in 163 regular season games with 154 starts and has posted career totals of 772 tackles (634 solo), 44 stops for loss, 11 sacks for a loss of 78 yards, 33 interceptions for 501 return yards, four brought back for touchdowns, 99 passes defensed, five forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries and five special teams stops. Mathieu has been selected to three Pro Bowls, three AP All-Pro teams and the Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2010's All-Decade Team.

NFL CAREER – This versatile, hard-hitting, playmaking safety and New Orleans native returned home, signing with the Black and Gold after the 2022 NFL Draft and brought extensive experience to the Saints secondary. Mathieu was originally selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round (69th overall) in the 2013 NFL Draft out of LSU and has played for the Cardinals (2013-17), Houston Texans (2018), Kansas City Chiefs (2019-21) and Saints (2022-). In 11 NFL seasons, he has played in 163 regular season games with 154 starts and has posted career totals of 772 tackles (634 solo), 44 stops for loss, 11 sacks for a loss of 78 yards, 33 interceptions for 501 return yards, four brought back for touchdowns, 99 passes defensed, five forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries and five special teams stops. Mathieu has been selected to three Pro Bowls, three AP All-Pro teams and the Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2010's All-Decade Team.

CAREER TRANSACTIONS – Agreed to terms with New Orleans on a two-year contract through the 2025 season, 3/7/24; Signed by New Orleans to a three-year contract, 5/4/21; Reinstated by Kansas City from Reserve/COVID-19, 9/11/21; Placed on Reserve/COVID-19 by Kansas City, 9/1/21; Signed by Kansas City Chiefs to a three-year contract (UFA-HOU), 3/14/19; Signed by Houston Texans to a one-year contract, 3/16/18; Released by Arizona, 3/14/18; Placed by Arizona on Reserve/Injured 12/23/16; Signed by Arizona to a five-year contract extension, 8/2/16; Placed by Arizona on Injured Reserve, 12/22/15; Placed by Arizona on Injured Reserve, 12/10/13; Signed to a four-year contract by Arizona, 5/23/13; Selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round (69th overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft.

HONORS – 2023: Saints Man of the Year (team nominee for NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year award); Jim Finks Media Appreciation Award; 2021: Chiefs Man of the Year (team nominee for NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year award); Pro Bowl; 2020: First-team All-Pro (Associated Press and The Sporting News); Pro Bowl; PFWA All-NFL; 2019: AP All-Pro (first-team as a defensive back and second-team as a safety); AFC Defensive Player of the Month (December) 2010s NFL All-Decade Team (Pro Football Hall of Fame Selectors); 2015: NFC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 3); NFC Defensive Player of the Month (November); Pro Bowl; PFWA All-NFL; AP All-Pro (first-team); 2013: PFWA All-Rookie; ProFootballFocus.com first-team All-Pro (slot cornerback); October NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month.

2023 – Started all 17 games at free safety for the Saints serving as the leader of the secondary, recording 75 tackles (50 solo), tied for a club-best with four interceptions for a career-high 122 return yards with one touchdown and nine passes defensed for a New Orleans defense that had a league-high 99 passes defensed, ranked eighth in opponent points allowed, tied for third in interceptions, fourth in total takeaways and ranked tenth in opponent net passing yards per game…Added five tackles (three solo) in opening win vs Tennessee, Sept. 10…At Carolina, Sept. 18, recorded five stops (three solo) in Monday Night Football Victory…Totaled four tackles (two solo) and a pass defense at Green Bay, Sept. 24…In 34-0 shutout win at New England, Oct. 8, recorded one tackle, one pass defensed, and a key first quarter interception returned 27 yards for a TD as part of a secondary that allowed just 111 net yards passing and one first down allowed through the air…At Indianapolis, Oct. 29, finished with four stops (one solo)…Recorded six tackles (five solo) and one pass defense in win vs Chicago, Nov. 5…Notched eight tackles (season-high seven solo) at Minnesota, Nov. 12…Added four stops (three solo), two passes defensed and a season-high and career-high tying two interceptions returned for 21 yards at Atlanta, Nov. 26…Posted six tackles (five solo) and one pass defense in win vs Carolina, Dec. 10…In win vs N.Y. Giants, Dec. 17, totaled three solo tackles…Recorded a season-high nine tackles (six solo) and a pass defended at L.A. Rams, Dec. 21…In win at Tampa Bay, Dec. 31, totaled five stops (three solo) as part of a defense that allowed 0 points through first three quarters and 44 yards of offense in first half…Added three tackles, one pass defense and an interception returned for a career-long 74 yards in season finale win vs Atlanta, 1/7/24.  2022 – Started all 17 games in his first season with the Saints, tallying a career-high 91 tackles (team-leading 64 solo), a sack, three tackles for loss, one QB hit, eight passes defensed, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a team-high three interceptions for the NFL's fifth-ranked defense, second against the pass…In season-opening win at Atlanta, Sept. 11, started in Saints debut and tallied seven tackles (five solo) and one fumble recovery…Vs. Tampa Bay, Sept. 18, recorded three solo tackles…At Carolina, Sept. 25, tallied four tackles (two solo)...Vs. Minnesota (London), Oct. 2, posted seven tackles (four solo), one interception/pass defensed, his first pick as a Saint…Vs. Seattle, Oct. 9, recorded five tackles (four solo)...Vs. Las Vegas, Oct. 30, posted four tackles (three solo), his first interception as a Saint in the Caesars Superdome and two passes defensed as New Orleans held Las Vegas scoreless in 24-0 shutout, where the Saints surrendered only 145 net passing yards...Vs. L.A. Rams, Nov. 20, registered six tackles (four solo) and a pass defense as New Orleans surrendered only 188 net yards passing…At Tampa Bay, Dec. 5, recorded five solo tackles and one pass defensed…Vs. Atlanta, Dec. 18, recorded six solo tackles with two passes defensed and a sack, his first takedown of season as New Orleans surrendered only 89 net yards passing…At Cleveland, Dec. 24, posted game-high 11 tackles (six solo), including one stop for loss, as New Orleans surrendered 20 or fewer points for the seventh consecutive game…At Philadelphia, 1/1/23, recorded two solo tackles…Vs. Carolina, 1/8/23, registered eight tackles (four solo), a 41-yard interception return/pass defense and one forced fumble as New Orleans surrendered only 32 net passing yards, the sixth-lowest total by a Saints opponent all-time and QB Sam Darnold managed only a 2.8 passer rating, the lowest an opposing quarterback (min. ten att.) had against the Saints all-time. 2021 – Started the last 16 regular season games in his final season for the Chiefs and recorded 76 tackles (60 solo), a sack, three interception returns for 56 yards, including a 34-yard runback for a touchdown, six passes defensed and three fumble recoveries, tied for first in the NFL. Started all three postseason contests and recorded six tackles (five solo). Selected to third Pro Bowl…After missing opener (COVID-19 protocols), returned at Baltimore, Sept. 19, and posted six solo tackles, two interception returns for 50 yards, including a 34-yard runback for a TD and three passes defensed…Posted six tackles (five solo) and a sack for a 11-yard loss vs. Green Bay, Nov. 7…Made four solo tackles and recovered a fumble and returned it 14 yards at Las Vegas, Nov. 14…Posted a season-high nine tackles (seven solo) vs. Denver, Dec. 5…Recorded five solo tackles, picked off a pass he returned six yards, recovered one fumble and added one pass defense vs. Las Vegas, Dec. 12…Recovered one fumble and posted two solo tackles vs. Pittsburgh, Dec. 26.  2020 – Started all 15 regular season games he played in for Kansas City and recorded 62 tackles (48 solo), six interceptions for 70 yards with a 25-yard return for a TD, nine passes defensed and a fumble recovery as he was voted first-team AP All-Pro. Led NFL safeties in interceptions. Started all three postseason contests and made 16 tackles (13 solo) and a 17-yard interception return/pass defense…In regular season opener vs. Houston, Sept. 10, posted a season-high eight tackles (season-high six solo)…At L.A. Chargers, Sept. 20, finished with five tackles (four solo) and one pass defense...Vs. New England, Oct. 5, recorded four solo tackles and returned an interception 25 yards for a TD in the fourth quarter to seal a 26-10 win…At Denver, Oct. 25, posted five solo tackles, returned a pick 18 yards and recovered a fumble…At Tampa Bay, Nov. 29, recorded five tackles (four solo), a 22-yard interception return and a pass defense…Vs. Denver, Dec. 6, recorded seven tackles (four solo) and picked off two passes…At Miami, Dec. 13, posted two solo tackles, one interception and two passes defensed…In the AFC Divisional Playoff victory over Cleveland, 1/17/21, posted seven tackles (five solo) and returned an interception 17 yards. 2019 – Started all 16 regular season games in his first season in Kansas City and posted 75 tackles (63 solo), two sacks, four interception returns for 70 yards and 12 passes defensed, as he was voted as an Associated Press All-Pro (first-team as a defensive back and second-team as a safety). In three postseason starts, posted 18 tackles (13 solo), one stop for loss and three passes defensed for the Super Bowl LIV champions…At Baltimore, Sept. 22, posted four tackles (two solo) and three passes defensed to tie a career-high…At Detroit, Sept. 29, posted six tackles (five solo) and one sack…Vs. Indianapolis, Oct. 6, finished with four solo tackles and returned an interception 30 yards…Vs. Houston, Oct. 13, finished with season-high ten solo tackles and a pass defense…At L.A. Chargers, Nov. 18, posted eight tackles (four solo), a 35-yard interception return and a pass defense…Vs. Oakland, Dec. 1, made one solo tackle, one interception and a pass defense…In regular season finale vs. L.A. Chargers, Dec. 29, finished with seven solo tackles, an interception and two passes defensed. Named December AFC Defensive Player of the Month, when he tallied 25 tackles, six passes defensed, two interceptions and a sack through five contests, helping the Chiefs hold the opposition to the fewest points in the National Football League during that span and tally a 5-0 record…Recorded three solo tackles and two passes defensed in Divisional Playoff win over Houston, 1/12/20…Finished with nine tackles (six solo), a stop for loss and a pass defense in AFC Championship game win over Tennessee, 1/19/20.  2018 – Matched career-high with 89 tackles (70 solo), a career-high 3.0 sacks, two interceptions, eight pass defenses, four quarterback hits, five stops for loss and a fumble recovery with the Texans. In AFC Wild Card Playoff vs. Indianapolis, 1/5/19, posted eight solo tackles…In Texans debut at New England, Sept. 9, posted five tackles (three solo), an interception/pass defense and a fumble recovery…At Jacksonville, Oct. 21, finished with five tackles, (four solo), a sack, an interception and a pass defense…Vs. Miami, Oct. 25, finished with seven tackles (six solo) and a sack…At Washington, Nov. 18, posted nine tackles (eight solo) and a sack. 2017 – In final season with Arizona Cardinals, started all 16 games and finished with 74 tackles (66 solo), a sack, two interceptions, seven passes defensed, a fumble recovery and four coverage stops…At Indianapolis, Sept. 17, finished with three solo tackles, a 15-yard interception return and two passes defensed…Vs. San Francisco, Oct. 1, had season-high 11 solo tackles, a sack and two special teams stops in 18-15 win…At San Francisco, Nov. 5, had three solo tackles and a forced fumble in 20-10 win…Vs. Jacksonville, Nov. 26, finished with four solo tackles, an interception and three passes defensed. 2016 – Started ten games for the Cardinals. Posted 35 tackles (33 solo), a sack, one interception with nine yards in returns, four passes defensed and a forced fumble, before being placed on Injured Reserve in Week 17 (shoulder)…In opener vs. New England, Sept. 11, recorded seven solo tackles, including one stop for loss...Recorded two solo tackles vs. Tampa Bay, allowing only 221 net passing yards, Sept. 18…At Buffalo, Sept. 25, had four solo tackles and a forced fumble…Recorded six solo tackles, a four-yard interception return and two passes defensed in 28-3 victory, surrendering only 197 net passing yards, vs. N.Y. Jets, Oct. 17…Inactive vs. San Francisco, Nov. 13 and at Minnesota, Nov. 20, with an ankle injury…Returned and recorded two solo tackles, a sack, five interception return yards and a pass defense, at Carolina, Nov. 27...After missing two games with a shoulder injury, returned vs. New Orleans, Dec. 11 and recorded six tackles (five solo). 2015 – Started the first 14 games for the Cardinals before suffering a season-ending right knee injury. Tied for the team lead with five interceptions, one returned 33 yards for a touchdown and led the Cardinals with 16 passes defensed. Third on team with 89 tackles (career-high 80 solo). Also had 11 stops for loss, a sack and a forced fumble. Mathieu still is only the second NFL defensive back since 2000 to post at least five interceptions, ten passes defensed and 11 stops for loss in a single season. A Pro Bowler for first time. Earned first-team AP All-Pro and PFWA All-NFL and November NFC Defensive Player of the Month…Registered team-leading eight solo tackles in opening win vs. New Orleans, Sept. 13. Also had a career-best three passes defensed and a stop for loss…Recorded a career-high two interceptions and his first NFL TD vs. San Francisco, Sept. 27; picked off Colin Kaepernick on 49ers' second possession of the game and returned it 33 yards for a TD; then intercepted Kaepernick in the second quarter and his 17-yard return helped set up a field goal before halftime. Added five solo tackles, including one stop for loss, and had a team-leading two passes defensed. Named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career…Forced a third quarter fumble and totaled six solo tackles and a pass defense vs. Rams, Oct. 4…Finished with seven solo tackles and tied for the team lead with three stops for a loss vs. Baltimore, Oct. 26. Also had a fourth quarter nine-yard sack of Joe Flacco to force a punt and also broke up a potential second quarter touchdown pass…Intercepted Russell Wilson in third quarter and returned it 24 yards to help set up a field goal at Seattle, Nov. 15. Added six tackles and a team-high three passes defensed…Collected his fourth interception of the year when he picked off Blaine Gabbert in the first quarter at San Francisco, Nov. 29. Led team with a career-high 13 tackles, including one stop for loss, and had two passes defensed…Posted team-high 11 tackles, including a stop for loss and a pass defense and two QB pressures vs. Minnesota, Dec. 10…Picked off  fourth quarter Sam Bradford pass and had five tackles and a pass defense at Philadelphia, Dec. 20. Suffered season-ending right knee injury in fourth quarter on the pick and placed on Injured Reserve, Dec. 22. 2014 – Returned to action after 2013 season-ending knee injury to play in 13 regular season games with six starts and collected 39 tackles (36 solo), two stops for loss, a nine-yard interception return, one fumble recovery and five passes defensed…Inactive (knee) for opener vs. San Diego, Sept. 8…Made first start of season and collected four tackles, a pass defense, a fumble recovery and a QB hit vs. Washington, Oct. 12. Recovered Andre Roberts' fourth quarter fumble, the first of his career and his nine-yard return helped set up a field goal that gave the Cardinals a 23-13 lead…Recorded four solo tackles and two passes defensed vs. Philadelphia, Oct. 26. Saw increased action at nickel cornerback after Patrick Peterson left the game injured in second quarter…Picked off Brandon Weeden pass intended for Jason Witten in third quarter with the Cowboys in red zone and the Cardinals holding a 14-10 lead at Dallas, Nov. 2. Also recorded five tackles and one pass defense…Had three tackles at Atlanta, Nov. 30. Left the game in the first half (thumb)…Inactive for the next two games…Returned and notched five solo tackles vs. Seattle, Dec. 21…Recorded one tackle in NFC Wild Card Playoff loss at Carolina, 1/3/15. 2013 – Played in 13 games with 11 starts for Cardinals before suffering a season-ending knee injury and finished fifth on team with 63 tackles (57 solo), one sack, two interceptions, 15 passes defensed and one forced fumble, making him one of three NFL rookies to have at least two interceptions, one sack and one forced fumble. Also had four stops for loss, three QB pressures, a QB hit and a special teams tackle. October NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month…Made  NFL debut and forced a Jared Cook fumble in the first quarter at Rams, Sept. 8. Chased Cook down inside the ten-yard line as he was going in for a score and knocked the ball loose for Karlos Dansby to recover in the end zone for a touchback; led the defensive backs with five unassisted tackles and added one pass defensed…Made first career start vs. Detroit, Sept. 15, and sealed the victory for Arizona when he tackled Nate Burleson one yard short of a first down on fourth-and-four on the Lions final possession of the game. Totaled six tackles, including one stop for loss, and had two passes defensed…In his return to hometown, recorded his first career interception by picking off Drew Brees in the end zone during the third quarter at New Orleans, Sept. 22. Led DBs with a season-high eight solo tackles and added one pass defense…Started in place of the injured Rashad Johnson and collected five solo tackles and two quarterback pressures at Tampa Bay, Sept. 29…Started for second straight game and notched first career sack, taking down Cam Newton in second quarter to force a punt vs. Carolina, Oct. 6. Helped Cardinals total seven sacks in the game, the most by the team since 1987 (eight). Added five tackles, a pass defense and a QB hit…Led the Cardinal DBs with six solo tackles, including two stops for loss, and added one pass defense at San Francisco, Oct. 13…Collected one of the Cardinals' four interceptions off of Matt Ryan vs. Atlanta, Oct. 27. Tied for team lead among defensive backs with seven tackles and added two passes defensed…Led DBs with seven tackles and had a pass defensed vs. Houston, Nov. 10…Led DBs with four solo tackles and added two passes defensed vs. Indianapolis, Nov. 24…Had an unassisted tackle and a pass defensed vs. St. Louis, Dec. 8, before leaving in the third quarter with a season-ending knee injury suffered returning a free kick following a safety.

COLLEGE – Appeared in 26 games (14 starts) at LSU and registered 133 tackles (93 solo) with 16 stops for loss, 16 passes defensed, 11 forced fumbles, eight fumble recoveries, four interceptions, four sacks and two defensive touchdowns...His 11 forced fumbles are the most in program history by a wide margin and are tied for the most in SEC history...As sophomore, earned 2011 National Defensive Player of the Year, was a unanimous first-team All-American and a Bednarik Award recipient...Became the first defensive back to be invited to Heisman Trophy ceremony since Charles Woodson of Michigan in 1997...Finished fifth in 2011 Heisman Trophy voting with 327 points and 34 first place votes…Sports administration major.

PERSONAL – A standout cornerback at St. Augustine (New Orleans, La.) HS, where he recorded 32 tackles, five interceptions, a sack and a fumble recovery in 2009…Named to the New Orleans Times-Picayune 2010 Blue-Chip List, the Baton Rouge Advocate Super Dozen and the Mobile Register Super Southeast 120 and was a SuperPrep All-American…Also was a standout in baseball, basketball and track & field…Mathieu has also been extremely active in the community for every team that he has played for, including his hometown…A two-time nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, including 2023, he has held an annual youth football camp at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center and upon joining the Saints, has used his foundation to facilitate giveaway events for back-to-school, Thanksgiving and Christmas…Interacted with fans at the 2023 Saints Draft Crawfish Cook-off, which benefited several Autism-related non-profit organizations…Served as the keynote speaker for the 2023 Black Male Summit, sponsored by the state's UL educational system…Serves as an ambassador for Son of a Saint, a local nonprofit dedicated to empowering fatherless boys through mentorship and support…For the NFL's "My Cause, My Cleats" promotion, wears designed cleats to support Son of a Saint and the Tyrann Mathieu Foundation…The past two years in December, has visited with and treated preselected families to a catered dinner by a gourmet chef, before surprising each family after with over $1,000 worth of holiday gifts from their wish list...Made a $1 million donation to LSU for the Football Operations Center nicknamed "Honey Badger" and established a scholarship at the university…Invited over 300 youth from Boys and Girls Club of Metro Louisiana and Son of Saint in July for his fourth annual Back-to-School Jamboree, providing school supplies…In November, partnered with the Greater New Orleans Salvation Army for Thanksgiving to provide turkeys and side dishes to 350 families, with he and teammates delivering to recipients in a drive-thru setting…In February, to help commemorate Black History Month in partnership with Verizon, visited the Amistad Research Center at Tulane University, fielding questions from students at the Willow School and then participated in a podcast with 150 attendees present to celebrate and recognize the center's work at the Baldwin & Company bookstore…Name pronounced: TY-run MATH-you.