Mathieu announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday.
A 2013 third-round pick of the Cardinals, Mathieu eventually played for four different teams with stops in Houston, Kansas City and New Orleans during his 12-year career, earning first-team All-Pro honors three times and winning a Super Bowl with Kansas City in 2019. Overall, in 180 regular-season games, he had 36 interceptions, which at the time of Mathieu's retirement ranked second to only Harrison Smith's 37 among active players. The Saints likely will move on with Jordan Howden at free safety to begin the 2025 campaign.
Mathieu (concussion) is in line to rework his deal with the Saints and remain with the team for the 2025 season, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.
Mathieu's reworked contract will serve to make his cap hit more manageable for New Orleans, potentially by converting some of his $6.5 million base salary into a signing bonus. He's suited up for all 17 regular-season games in three consecutive years with the Saints, though his snap count declined in 2024. Mathieu was forced out of the team's Week 18 finale due to a concussion, but he figures to be a full participant in the start of offseason activities.
