Last offseason, the Kansas City Chiefs were able to sign quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, and defensive tackle Chris Jones to hefty contract extensions. This year, it seemed like it would be star safety Tyrann Mathieu’s turn to receive a big paid day and a new contract that would keep the Honey Badger locked in K.C. for the long-term future.
Unfortunately for Mathieu, this offseason was also the year the Chiefs needed to make the necessary moves to rehaul the offensive line that was long overdue. Still, as each month of the off-season passed, the longer Mathieu’s contract situation sat on the back burner.
When Mathieu spoke to the media following the Chiefs’ first training camp practice on Wednesday, he was asked if he was at all upset over a contract not being finalized yet. The true leader he is, the three-time All-Pro put that sort of chatter to rest.
“[I’m] not disappointed at all,” Mathieu stated. “Most people that know me to know that I love to play football. So I have another chance to do that. It’s all about my teammates, it’s all about the guys around me and just me continuing to try and be the person that I am,” he explained. “I’m not letting anything outside of that influence how I operate day-to-day,” he continued. “That’s the most important thing: to not let anything become a distraction. The only thing on my mind right now is getting off to a fast start, making plays, and continuing to lead my group.”
As fans began to file in at Chiefs training camp for the first time in two years, one of the first players they saw on the field was Tyrann Mathieu. He was also in attendance at all of Kansas City’s OTA and minicamp practices as well.
“I’m all about ball,” said Mathieu. “I love ball. It’s important for me to stay focused on that and let other things handle themselves.”
After spending the last two seasons with him as part of the Chiefs’ locker room, Head Coach Andy Reid told reporters after practice he understands how the star safety operates and appreciates the way Mathieu is handling his contract situation.
“He said it when he came here: ‘I just want to play.’ That’s where he’s at,” said Reid. “He loves it here, and he just wants to play.”
Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt also spoke with the media following Wednesday’s practice. He too, also emphasized that he wants Mathieu to remain in Kansas City for the foreseeable future.
“Tyrann’s the ultimate professional, and really has been his entire career in the league and definitely in his couple years with us,” Hunt reflected. “I know he’s going to be at his very best this year. I’ve heard Tyrann say that he would like to extend his career in Kansas City, and we feel the same way about that. Hopefully, that will work out; the timing is obviously uncertain”
While things may be up in the air right now, the process that leads to a contract extension takes time. However, if there’s one thing General Manager Brett Veach has proven in the past, it’s that he’ll find a way to finalize a deal that will make sense for the team cap-wise and will keep one of the league’s best defensive back in the red and gold for the seasons to come.
