Tyrann Mathieu has reportedly signed a contract extension with the Arizona Cardinals that will make him the highest-paid safety in the NFL. He intercepted five tackles and racked up 89 tackles (including 11 for losses) before suffering a season-ending ACL tear in his right knee after 14 regular-season games.
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Mathieu is joined in the top five by Harrison Smith of the Minnesota Vikings, Eric Berry of the Kansas City Chiefs, Earl Thomas of the Seattle Seahawks and Malcolm Jenkins of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Mathieu’s first contract had $800,000 guaranteed with a multitude of drug tests, but much of the money was spread over four seasons because of concerns about his earlier problems.
Not bad for a guy who was considered a character risk coming out of college and has dealt with injuries and has never played a full season.
It was unclear whether the contract had contingencies if Mathieu suffers further serious injuries. It was the second time in three years that his season was cut short by a knee injury.
Mathieu was to receive a base salary of $1.4 million this season.
When healthy, Mathieu has proven to be one of the best, and most versatile, safeties in the NFL.
Only six National Football League cornerbacks make upward of $12 million annually, including Mathieu’s teammate Patrick Peterson.
Back in January, Mathieu told reporters, “I think this is the ideal place for me”. With what Mathieu has done on and off the field, the Cardinals have shown they have no doubts that he is the best in the business.
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Only a handful of cornerbacks, where Mathieu is often used in the Arizona defense, get paid more than what “The Honey Badger” averages on his new extension.
