The Chiefs reportedly secured their top target in safety Tyrann Mathieu.
News of the three-year, $42 million dollar deal Mathieu is expected to sign first broke on the NFL Network, which noted Kansas City “pulled off a surprise” grabbing the sixth-year player from the Texans.
Once official, Mathieu will be tied for the highest-paid safety on a three-year contract ($14 million per year).
The #Chiefs are signing former #Texans S Tyrann Mathieu to a 3-year deal worth $42M, source said. This was their top target in free agency, prying him from the #Texans.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2019
Mathieu, 26, was selected by the Cardinals in the third-round of the 2013 draft. He spent five seasons in Arizona before penning a one-year deal with the Texans.
In Houston, he tallied 89 tackles, eight pass deflections, three sacks and two interceptions.
Mathieu is a much-needed get for the Chiefs struggling defensive unit.
In 2018, Kansas City had the 31st-ranked pass defense — the second worst in the league. Mathieu will enter the 2019 season as one of only two players with 10-plus interceptions, seven-plus sacks, 10-plus quarterback hits and a whopping 40-plus passes defended since 2013 (Luke Kuechly is the other only player to accomplish the feat).
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes offered a quick reaction to the addition of the Pro Bowl player, also known as the Honey Badger.
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) March 11, 2019
