Former Saints, Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu makes unexpected career announcement

Former Saints, Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu makes unexpected career announcement originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Former NFL safety Tyrann Mathieu spent 12 seasons in professional football, from 2013 to 2024. He stepped away from the game last offseason at the the age of 32, with a decorated career. Now, it sounds as if the man dubbed the 'Honey Badger' is ready to come back and take a bite out of the competition again.

Mathieu, just a year removed from the National Football League, recently stated during an interview with the Up & Adams show that he wouldn't mind making a return to the pros. Host Kay Adams posted a clip on social media where Mathieu said as much on Monday.

"The way the Texans play defense?" Mathieu stated in the video. "I'd come back to play for a defense like that... I mean, for the right situation, who wouldn't? I love this game, so I'm like, yeah."

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Mathieu spent one year with Houston in 2018, but spent the majority of his tenure in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs, and New Orleans Saint.

Tyrann Mathieu was terrific in college and the pros

In 12 NFL seasons, Mathieu recorded 36 interceptions, along with 837 tackles (685 solo) and seven forced fumbles. He was a three-time Pro Bowler and was a part of the Chiefs squad that won Super Bowl LIV. Mathieu was also selected for the NFL's all-2010s team, signifying his long and successful stint in the pros

Prior to that, he was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy as a defensive star at LSU, gaining national acclaim for not just his play, but also his nickname. He set the SEC record for most career forced fumbles (11) and was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2011.

Could Mathieu contribute tp an NFL team after a one-year layoff? Absolutely. He's still familar with the league's playmakers and he won't turn 34 until May 2026. He still has gas left in the tank. But perhaps the bigger question is: Which teams will pick up the phone and dial the Honey Badger hotline for help?