Following years of struggles off the field, it seemed like Tyrann Mathieu had finally found a home in the NFL. However, after just three years with the Kansas City Chiefs, the Honey Badger may not return for the upcoming season.
Mathieu is now a free agent and the Chiefs haven't even reached out to him over a new contract, all but ending his tenure at Arrowhead Stadium.
Mathieu Was 'Depressed' By The Chiefs' Decision
Mathieu has taken several shots at the team and the fanbase on social media lately. However, in a recent interview, he claims that frustration only comes from how sad and shocked he was to realize they didn't want him anymore:
“Bro, I was depressed,” Mathieu told Sam McDowell of the Kansas City Star. “Heartbroken. Heart. Broken. “I could not understand it. I could not, man.”It Wasn't About The Money, Says Mathieu
Mathieu is reportedly looking for a big, lucrative deal in free agency. Nonetheless, he claims he would've settled for less money if the Chiefs had at least reached out to him:
“To be honest, IF they would’ve offered me Justin Reid’s deal, obviously I would’ve tried to negotiate, but if that’s where they drew their line in the sand, I probably would’ve took it," Mathieu admitted. "Agents are going to do their thing, but at the end of the day, it’s the player’s decision whether to sign it or not. Probably would’ve took it.”2021 Was The Hardest Year Of His Career
As shocked as he was, Mathieu wasn't completely blindsided by the Chiefs' decision. Their reluctance to talk about a new deal throughout the season made it clear for him that last season could be his last at Arrowhead. That made it the hardest season of his career:
“It was the hardest year of my career,” Mathieu sentenced. “I’ve been through ACLs (surgeries). I’ve been through a lot of stuff in this league — having to move my family every two or three years. But that was one of the hardest, longest years of my life.” “I just knew. Everything I was working for, man. Every day I wake up trying to make the Chiefs better, trying to make the community better. I’m just working toward that knowing that there’s an end date. There’s an expiration date to that.”He's Moving On Now
Mathieu felt like the fans, just like the organization, weren't as high on him anymore. Yet, he had to swallow that hard pill and continue to be the best teammate he could:
“I just knew, last year, people’s appreciation for me was kinda going away," Mathieu concluded. "I took all that hard. I tried to stay in my routine. I wasn’t going to be a bad teammate. That ain’t me. In the back of my mind, though, I knew.”Now, the Honey Badger is set to play for his fourth NFL team, although he's going to take some time before making a decision.
]]>The Inquisitr
