Tyrann Mathieu has reportedly signed a contract extension with the Arizona Cardinals that will make him the highest-paid safety in the NFL.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the deal is worth $62.5 million over five years and includes $40 million guaranteed.
Cardinals and S Tyrann "Honey Badger" Mathieu reached agreement on 5-year, $62.5 million agreement that includes $40M gtd, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 2, 2016
That equates to an average annual value of more than $12 million. The highest-paid safety in the league currently not playing under a franchise tag is Harrison Smith of the Minnesota Vikings, who makes an average of $10.25 million per season. Seattle Seahawks safety Earl Thomas is just behind him at $10 million a year.
Mathieu was the anchor of an outstanding Arizona defense last season, and he has emerged as one of the best defensive players in the league. The torn ACL he suffered last year is apparently not a concern for the Cardinals, which shouldn’t be a surprise given what Larry Fitzgerald said about Mathieu’s healing powers.
It’s amazing to think that just four short years ago Mathieu was kicked off the LSU football team for repeated drug violations. He’s a great example of a player who has really straightened out his act and made the most of his second chance.
