Honey Badger Retires

In an unexpected late-July announcement, Tyrann Mathieu is retiring from football.

The esteemed safety is stepping away after 12 seasons in the NFL, as confirmed by the Saints on Tuesday.

Despite a less impressive 2024 season, the 33-year-old safety was anticipated to form a notable safety duo with former teammate Justin Reid in the New Orleans defense for 2025. However, the Louisiana native is departing from the Saints, who are currently in a transitional phase following a coaching change in early 2025.

"I'm a little surprised, but we had some advanced notice," said Saints general manager Mickey Loomis on Tuesday. "I have immense respect for Tyrann and his achievements. He's a legendary player both in Louisiana and the NFL. We truly appreciate his time with us. He was outstanding. ... What a remarkable career."

This announcement concludes a career that began with uncertainty but spanned 12 years filled with well-earned accolades. Mathieu's journey saw him move between teams, yet he made significant contributions at each stop. Over his 12 NFL seasons, he achieved three first-team All-Pro selections, three Pro Bowl appearances, won a Super Bowl with the Chiefs, and was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame's All-Decade Team for the 2010s, suggesting a future induction into Canton.

As a consensus All-American and SEC Defensive Player of the Year at LSU, Mathieu was considered a high-value prospect, but off-field issues caused him to fall to the third round of the 2013 draft. The Arizona Cardinals picked him 69th overall, benefiting from his talents, including a Defensive Rookie of the Year consideration in 2013 and a first-team All-Pro selection in 2015, before a contract dispute led to his release.

Mathieu spent one season with Houston in 2018 before joining the rising Kansas City powerhouse in 2019, where he played a crucial role in Steve Spagnuolo's defense. Despite his smaller size at 5-foot-9 and 190 pounds, Mathieu was fearless and made numerous plays for a Chiefs defense that solidified its form late in the 2019 season, helping Kansas City secure its second Super Bowl title in franchise history.

Mathieu played three years in key games with the Chiefs before returning home by signing with the Saints in 2022. In New Orleans, he concluded his professional career by starting every possible game over his last three seasons, recording 228 tackles, 24 passes defensed, 10 interceptions, and three forced fumbles. With a distinguished career behind him, Mathieu retires in the same state where he first began playing football.