Tyrann Mathieu rumors: 5 most likely landing spots
By John Buhler
Though he may return to the Kansas City Chiefs, safety Tyrann Mathieu will test free agency.
With news of the Kansas City Chiefs looking to use the franchise tag on offensive tackle Orlando Brown, that means safety Tyrann Mathieu will test the market in his own NFL free agency.
Mathieu spent the last three NFL seasons with the Chiefs, earning two of his three career Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro nods, as well as being a big part of the Super Bowl 54 championship team in 2019. While he will be entering his age-30 season out of LSU, Mathieu has at least a handful of high-quality years left in the tank in his increasingly likely hall-of-fame pro career.
Along with Kansas City, what teams are the best fits for him to land in 2022 NFL free agency?
Tyrann Mathieu rumors: 5 best fits for star safety in his NFL free agency
Pick Analysis. AFC. East. 5. player. 30. Scouting Report. New York Jets
The New York Jets have a ton of cap space, but they may also draft Kyle Hamilton
A potential dark horse contender to land Mathieu in free agency is the New York Jets. Gang Green has the fifth-most cap space in the league at roughly $44.7 million, which is way more than enough to bring the Honey Badger to the Big Apple. Though he could be a huge piece on Robert Saleh’s defense, the Jets can draft a safety in the top-10 this year in Norte Dame’s Kyle Hamilton.
The Jets have two top-10 picks, their own, as well as the Seattle Seahawks from the Jamal Adams trade. In theory, New York would be offsetting dealing Adams to Seattle by signing Mathieu. Though the Jets have a strong track record of elite play in the back-end of their defense, this team is not ready to compete just yet. Mathieu would get paid by them, but he should prioritize winning.
With where the Jets are picking, they can get a top-tier defensive back without paying for Mathieu.