Tyrann Mathieu rumors: 5 most likely landing spots

Tyrann Mathieu as the second coming of Ed Reed has Ravens Flock in a frenzy

When it comes to instinctive safeties, Baltimore Ravens legend Ed Reed is perhaps the gold standard. He is one of only a handful of safeties who were total game-wreckers in their prime, along with the likes of Ronnie Lott and Troy Polamalu. Though Mathieu is not on their level just yet, he offers much of what made those superstar safeties so utterly transcendent in their primes.

From a schematic and cultural standpoint, Mathieu would be a fantastic fit in the Charm City. However, the Ravens are not in a good spot with the 2022 NFL salary cap. While it is better than the Chiefs’, it is just below league average at nearly $9.8 million in available space. Though the Ravens are well-run organizationally, Mathieu may be too expensive to do cap gymnastics over.

If the Ravens had more available cash, they would be a big contender to land him in free agency.

Now would be a great time to join an emerging contender over in Indianapolis

No doubt about it. This is a critical year for the Indianapolis Colts. As much as people around the league respect head coach Frank Reich and general manager Chris Ballard, the Colts have to make the AFC playoffs. Not only that, but they need to usurp the Tennessee Titans in the AFC South, a division they have not won since 2014. Could spending big in free agency get them over the top?

The Colts have nearly $40 million in available cap space. They also were able to land an elite defensive coordinator in Gus Bradley to replace Matt Eberflus who now leads the Chicago Bears. With Darius Leonard as a star linebacker, there are pieces in place for the Colts to be a serious contender in the AFC next season. Of course, they have to get far superior quarterback play first.

If Mathieu were to sign with the Colts, this team could be good enough to play for a championship.