Speculation continues to circulate around free agent Pro Bowl safety, Tyrann Mathieu, and where he'll play next season. It was last reported that Mathieu was enticed by the idea of playing for Pittsburgh Steelers head coach, Mike Tomlin, but no offer has since been made.
Tuesday, Mathieu visited the New Orleans Saints, which I'm sure had all of Steeler Nation holding their breath. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport has reported however that Mathieu is in "no rush" to make a deal, and that he's currently just focusing on family and getting in shape.
From NFL Now: FA DB Tyrann Mathieu visited the #Saints yesterday, and there may be others. He is in no rush to do a deal. Right now, the focus is on family and getting in excellent shape. pic.twitter.com/2Sw1CDeYV3
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 6, 2022
"He could've signed now. He could've signed already. He could've had plenty of offers. He wants to hold out for the right money. And he wants to hold out for the right team," Rapoport reported.
When asked about his Saints visit and what he would want out of his next team, Mathieu responded with this:
"First and foremost, it's a great opportunity with Dennis Allen stepping into the lead position. He's a great defensive mind. I have a lot of respect for Mrs. Benson and the kind of things she does throughout the community. It's a team I grew up watching. Any time I get to play in front of family and friends, it obviously gives me more energy. It would be a great opportunity if that was to come." via TheAdovate.com
When asked about his current free agency process in its entirety, Mathieu expressed that this isn't his first rodeo:
"This is my third time in free agency, unfortunately. This time around, it's not about being the highest-paid safety. It's not about breaking news or anything like that. I want my family to be comfortable. I think I've worked hard enough and long enough in this league to be able to have that. I want to play for a team that has a chance to win a championship, but outside of that, I want my kids and my family to be happy and be safe."
Why the Steelers Make Sense
According to general manager Kevin Colbert, the Steelers currently have every single starting position penciled in on their depth chart, except for one: safety.
With Terrell Edmunds continuing to test the free agency market, and the Steelers possibly gearing up to sign a long-term extension with Minkah Fitzpatrick, many believe this is the exact reason why bringing the "Honey Badger" to the Steel City would be a great move (as long as he's willing to come at a decent price).
Fitzpatrick and Mathieu would easily become the NFL's best safety tandem, and would sure up not just an overall successful free agency period in 2022 for the Steelers, but solidify an already Super Bowl caliber defense that still may have a question mark or two in their secondary.
Steelers safeties Minkah Fitzpatrick and Terrell Edmunds | Photo by Julio Aguilar / Getty Images
With a conflicting report coming out Wednesday afternoon regarding Fitzpatrick, one can only assume that maybe the Steelers are wanting to sure up the safety position opposite of Fitzpatrick before signing him to an extension. With three First Team All-Pro selections, a Second Team All-Pro selection, three Pro Bowls and already a Super Bowl Champion, who better than Mathieu to solidify the Steelers' back end.
We will keep you posted as Mathieu inches closer to his decision.
Discipline will guide you thru your next chapter.
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) April 5, 2022
#SteelerNation
