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Tyrann Mathieu’s future with the Arizona Cardinals does not look promising. With his cap number of $14.1 million for the upcoming season and his role expected to change, the Cardinals have asked him to take a pay cut.
Tyrann Mathieu, here at @NFLNetwork Thursday, said he and agent spoke with Cardinals Thursday. They asked him to take a pay cut.
— Gregg Rosenthal (@greggrosenthal) March 8, 2018
Now it would be a miracle if the team can convince him to take a pay cut. It’s clear that Steve Keim wants the Honey Badger back, or else he would not have spoken with his agent about a reduced pay to return. Unfortunately, the Cardinals only have around $20 million in cap space. They are currently not in the best circumstances to be aggressive in free agency, as player salaries and bonuses will soon be guaranteed.
If Tyrann Mathieu is on the roster on the first day of the 2018 league year he will earn a $5 million roster bonus and guarantee his entire 2018 salary and $8 million of his 2019 salary.
— Mike Jurecki (@mikejurecki) March 8, 2018
By designating him a post-June 1st cut they'll save $11M ($3.1M in dead money against cap)
Mathieu has been a Cardinal his entire NFL career, since being selected in the third round of the 2013 draft. He is a great leader and role model for people on and off the football field. He is a player that any team would want in their locker room. Now, Steve Keim will have a difficult decision to make. Mathieu is only 26 years old and can still play at a very high level. But, his cap number is a big problem and not one that the Cardinals are willing to pay him. He could be cut or even traded. It is up in the air at this point but it seems more than likely at every passing day that he’ll be playing in a different uniform in the upcoming season.
Will Tyrann Mathieu take one for the team? Or is his time with the Arizona Cardinals at an end?
The NFL is full of possibilities and surprises. A decision will be made soon.