Tyrann Mathieu quote on leaving the Chiefs and Kansas City is heartbreaking

The Tyrann Mathieu sweepstakes is nearing an end, and the Kansas City Chiefs appear to be on the outs with their former superstar. 

Mathieu detailed what it was like for him to hear the news that the Chiefs were moving forward at the safety position with Justin Reid. Rather than try to negotiate with Mathieu — or reveal their hard line in the sand on a contract — Reid received the offer that Mathieu never did.

He was heartbroken.

“Bro, I was depressed,” Mathieu told Sam McDowell of the Kansas City Star. “Heartbroken. Heart. Broken. I could not understand it. I could not, man.”

Mathieu went on to say that had the Chiefs merely offered him Reid’s contract, odds are he would’ve taken it after some haggling.

“To be honest, if they would’ve offered me Justin Reid’s deal, obviously I would’ve tried to negotiate, but if that’s where they drew their line in the sand, I probably would’ve took it,” Mathieu said. “I probably would’ve took it. Agents are going to do their thing, but at the end of the day, it’s the player’s decision whether to sign it or not.”

Tyrann Mathieu heartbroken by Chiefs

Whether this is merely Mathieu playing up his exit or not, it sounds (from his point of view) that Kansas City never really entertained the idea of bringing him back for whatever reason.

“I don’t think she gets how hard I took it,” Mathieu said of his fiancée, Sydni Russell. “I don’t like moving. I hate this.”

Mathieu taking Reid’s contract, especially on a multiyear deal, would’ve been a huge paycut for the star safety. Odds are he will receive more money in free agency, even if it’s taking awhile to reach that point.

The Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles and his hometown New Orleans Saints have all expressed interest in Mathieu. Eventually, the hard feelings will wear off. But for now, leaving the winning culture in KC still hurts.