Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Tyrann Mathieu

Discover the career path of Tyrann Mathieu, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Tyrann Mathieu, nicknamed "the Honey Badger," is a professional American football safety currently playing for the New Orleans Saints in the NFL. He gained prominence as a defensive player for the LSU Tigers, where he set an SEC record for forced fumbles. His outstanding performance in his sophomore year earned him consensus All-American honors, the Chuck Bednarik Award, and Heisman Trophy finalist recognition. However, his college career was cut short after being dismissed from the LSU football program for violating team rules.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

2010: Attended Louisiana State University

In 2010, Tyrann Mathieu accepted an athletic scholarship to attend Louisiana State University (LSU) and played for the LSU Tigers football team.

2010: Ranked as a four-star recruit

In 2010, Tyrann Mathieu was considered a four-star recruit by Rivals.com and was listed as the No. 13 cornerback in the nation.

2010: Played as a true freshman

In 2010, as a true freshman, Tyrann Mathieu played in all 13 games with one start, finishing the season with 57 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and two interceptions.

2011: Played for LSU Tigers

In 2011, Tyrann Mathieu continued to play football for the LSU Tigers.

2011: Most Outstanding Defensive Player

In 2011, Tyrann Mathieu was named the Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the 2011 Cotton Bowl Classic against Texas A&M.

November 29, 2012: Announced entry into NFL draft

On November 29, 2012, Tyrann Mathieu announced that he would enter the NFL draft.

February 26, 2013: Participated at the NFL Scouting Combine

On February 26, 2013, Tyrann Mathieu participated at the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine and ran a 4.50 40-yard dash, had 4 reps of 225 pounds, a 34-inch vertical, and a 117-inch broad jump.

March 27, 2013: Participated at his pro day

On March 27, 2013, Tyrann Mathieu participated at his pro day.

March 28, 2013: Attended LSU's pro day

On March 28, 2013, Tyrann Mathieu attended LSU's pro day but chose to stand on his combine numbers and only performed positional drills.

April 26, 2013: Cardinals announced Mathieu would play free safety

On April 26, 2013, Arizona Cardinals' head coach Bruce Arians stated that Tyrann Mathieu would be playing free safety.

May 23, 2013: Signed contract with Arizona Cardinals

On May 23, 2013, Tyrann Mathieu signed a four-year, $3.05 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals.

September 8, 2013: Made professional debut

On September 8, 2013, Tyrann Mathieu made his professional regular season debut in the Arizona Cardinals' season-opener against the St. Louis Rams and made seven solo tackles and his first career forced fumble in their 27–24 loss.

September 22, 2013: Recorded first career interception

On September 22, 2013, Tyrann Mathieu recorded ten combined tackles, deflected a pass, and made his first career interception off a pass thrown by quarterback Drew Brees during a 31–7 loss to the New Orleans Saints.

October 6, 2013: Recorded first career sack

On October 6, 2013, Tyrann Mathieu recorded five solo tackles and made his first career sack on quarterback Cam Newton for a ten-yard loss during the Cardinals' 22–6 win against the Carolina Panthers.

2013: Drafted by Arizona Cardinals

In 2013, Tyrann Mathieu was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the NFL draft.

September 21, 2014: Collected a season-high six combined tackles

On September 21, 2014, Tyrann Mathieu collected a season-high six combined tackles during a 23–14 win against the San Francisco 49ers.

November 2, 2014: Recorded his lone interception of the season

On November 2, 2014, Tyrann Mathieu recorded five combined tackles, a pass deflection, and made his lone interception of the season off a pass by Brandon Weeden during a 28–17 win at the Dallas Cowboys.

September 27, 2015: Recorded two interceptions and a touchdown

On September 27, 2015, Tyrann Mathieu had five solo tackles, two pass deflections, and a career-high two interceptions, including his first career touchdown, as the Cardinals defeated the San Francisco 49ers 47–7. He scored his touchdown after intercepting a pass by Colin Kaepernick and returning it 33 yards.

November 15, 2015: Intercepted a pass against the Seattle Seahawks

On November 15, 2015, Tyrann Mathieu intercepted a pass thrown by Russell Wilson during a 39–32 win at the Seattle Seahawks. He also made six combined tackles and three pass deflections.

August 2, 2016: Signed contract extension with Arizona Cardinals

On August 2, 2016, Tyrann Mathieu signed a five-year, $62.50 million contract extension with the Arizona Cardinals.

September 11, 2016: Started against the New England Patriots

On September 11, 2016, Tyrann Mathieu started in the Arizona Cardinals home-opener against the New England Patriots and collected a season-high seven solo tackles during the game, which resulted in a 21–23 loss for the Cardinals.

October 17, 2016: Interception against the New York Jets

On October 17, 2016, Tyrann Mathieu recorded six solo tackles, two pass deflections (a season-high), and intercepted a pass thrown by Geno Smith to Charone Peake as the Arizona Cardinals routed the New York Jets 28–3.

December 23, 2016: Placed on injured reserve

On December 23, 2016, the Arizona Cardinals officially placed Tyrann Mathieu on injured reserve due to a shoulder injury, sidelining him for the last two games of the season.

September 17, 2017: Interception against the Indianapolis Colts

On September 17, 2017, Tyrann Mathieu recorded three solo tackles, two pass deflections, and intercepted a pass thrown by Jacoby Brissett to Kamar Aiken in overtime during a 16–13 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, setting up a game-winning field goal.

November 26, 2017: Interception against the Jacksonville Jaguars

On November 26, 2017, Tyrann Mathieu made four solo tackles, a season-high three pass deflections, and intercepted a pass by Blake Bortles to Dede Westbrook during a 27–24 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

March 14, 2018: Released by the Cardinals

On March 14, 2018, Tyrann Mathieu was released by the Arizona Cardinals after refusing to take a pay cut.

March 17, 2018: Signed with the Houston Texans

On March 17, 2018, Tyrann Mathieu signed a one–year, $7.00 million contract with the Houston Texans, including $6.50 million guaranteed upon signing and a $4.50 million signing bonus.

September 9, 2018: Started against the New England Patriots

On September 9, 2018, Tyrann Mathieu started in the Houston Texans' season-opener at the New England Patriots, making five combined tackles, one pass deflection, recovering a fumble, and intercepting a pass thrown by Tom Brady during a 20–27 loss.

March 14, 2019: Signed with the Kansas City Chiefs

On March 14, 2019, Tyrann Mathieu signed a three–year, $42.00 million contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, which included $26.80 million guaranteed and a $14.80 million signing bonus.

November 18, 2019: Interception against the Los Angeles Chargers

On November 18, 2019, Tyrann Mathieu made eight combined tackles, a pass deflection, and intercepted a pass thrown by Philip Rivers during a 24–17 win at the Los Angeles Chargers.

December 29, 2019: Interception against the Los Angeles Chargers

On December 29, 2019, Tyrann Mathieu recorded seven solo tackles, two pass deflections, and intercepted a pass by Philip Rivers to Mike Williams in a 31–21 victory against the Los Angeles Chargers.

2019: Selected to All-Pro team

In 2019, Tyrann Mathieu was selected to both the first-team All-Pro team as a defensive back and the second-team All-Pro team as a safety.

January 19, 2020: AFC Championship Game against the Tennessee Titans

On January 19, 2020, Tyrann Mathieu made nine combined tackles and broke up a pass as the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Tennessee Titans 35–24 in the AFC Championship Game.

February 2, 2020: Super Bowl LIV

On February 2, 2020, Tyrann Mathieu started in Super Bowl LIV and made six combined tackles as the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers 31–20, earning his first and only Super Bowl ring.

September 13, 2020: Started against the Houston Texans

On September 13, 2020, Tyrann Mathieu started in the Kansas City Chiefs' home-opener against the Houston Texans and collected a season-high eight combined tackles during a 34–20 victory.

October 5, 2020: Interception returned for a touchdown against the New England Patriots

On October 5, 2020, Tyrann Mathieu recorded four solo tackles, broke up a pass, and returned an interception thrown by Jarrett Stidham to Julian Edelman 25–yards for a touchdown as the Chiefs defeated the New England Patriots 26–10.

December 6, 2020: Two Interceptions against the Denver Broncos

On December 6, 2020, Tyrann Mathieu made six combined tackles, a season-high two pass deflections, and tied his career-high of two interceptions on passes thrown by Drew Lock, securing a 22–16 win against the Denver Broncos on Sunday Night Football.

January 17, 2021: Divisional Round of the playoffs against the Cleveland Browns

On January 17, 2021, Tyrann Mathieu started in the Divisional Round of the playoffs against the Cleveland Browns and made seven combined tackles, broke up a pass, and intercepted a pass thrown by Baker Mayfield to Jarvis Landry during the 22–17 win.

February 7, 2021: Super Bowl LV

On February 7, 2021, Tyrann Mathieu started in Super Bowl LV and recorded three combined tackles as the Chiefs lost 9–31 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. During the game, Mathieu had a verbal altercation with Tom Brady.

September 11, 2021: Returned to the active roster

On September 11, 2021, Tyrann Mathieu returned to the active roster and was activated off the COVID-19/reserve list. However, he remained inactive for the Chiefs' home-opener against the Cleveland Browns as a precaution.

September 19, 2021: Interception returned for a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens

On September 19, 2021, Tyrann Mathieu made six combined tackles, three pass deflections, two interceptions, and scored a touchdown after returning an interception thrown by Lamar Jackson to Sammy Watkins 34–yards during a 36–35 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

January 30, 2022: AFC Championship Game against the Cincinnati Bengals

On January 30, 2022, Tyrann Mathieu started in the AFC Championship Game and made five solo tackles as the Kansas City Chiefs lost 24–27 in overtime to the Cincinnati Bengals.

March 5, 2022: Met with the New Orleans Saints

On March 5, 2022, Tyrann Mathieu returned home to Louisiana and met with the New Orleans Saints during his trip to his hometown of New Orleans.

May 4, 2022: Signed with the New Orleans Saints

On May 4, 2022, Tyrann Mathieu signed a three–year, $28.30 million contract with the New Orleans Saints, which includes $18.00 million guaranteed and a $9.50 million signing bonus.

October 30, 2022: Interception against the Las Vegas Raiders

On October 30, 2022, Tyrann Mathieu made five combined tackles, a season–high two pass deflections, and intercepted a pass thrown by Derek Carr to Hunter Renfrow during a 24–0 win against the Las Vegas Raiders.

January 8, 2023: Interception against the Carolina Panthers

On January 8, 2023, Tyrann Mathieu made eight combined tackles, a pass deflection, and intercepted a pass thrown by Sam Darnold to D. J. Moore during a 7–10 loss to the Carolina Panthers.

October 8, 2023: Interception returned for a touchdown

On October 8, 2023, Tyrann Mathieu had one solo tackle, a pass deflection, and returned an interception thrown by Mac Jones to Rhamondre Stevenson for 27 yards for a touchdown, contributing to a 34-0 victory against the New England Patriots.

November 26, 2023: Two interceptions against the Atlanta Falcons

On November 26, 2023, Tyrann Mathieu made four combined tackles (three solo), a season-high two pass deflections, and tied his career-high with two interceptions on passes by Desmond Ridder during a 15-24 loss at the Atlanta Falcons.

March 7, 2024: Contract Extension with the Saints

On March 7, 2024, Tyrann Mathieu signed a two-year, $13.75 million contract extension with the New Orleans Saints, which included $9.00 million guaranteed upon signing and a $5.00 million signing bonus. He returned as the starting free safety.

September 22, 2024: Intercepted pass against the Eagles

On September 22, 2024, Tyrann Mathieu collected a season-high seven solo tackles, made one pass deflection, and intercepted a pass thrown by Jalen Hurts to DeVonta Smith during a 12-15 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

November 4, 2024: Firing of head coach Dennis Allen

On November 4, 2024, the New Orleans Saints announced the firing of head coach Dennis Allen after falling to a 2-7 record. Special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi was appointed the interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

November 10, 2024: Interception against the Atlanta Falcons

On November 10, 2024, Tyrann Mathieu recorded three solo tackles, a season-high three pass deflections, and intercepted a pass by Kirk Cousins to receiver Drake London as the Saints defeated the Atlanta Falcons 17-20.

July 22, 2025: Retirement Announcement

On July 22, 2025, the Saints announced that Tyrann Mathieu informed the team that he would be retiring. Mathieu announced his decision to retire on his personal Instagram account the same day.