Revenge of the Birds - Tyrann Mathieu contract newsAn Arizona Cardinals community -- the best one there ishttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51297/rotb_fav.png2016-06-10T07:00:08-06:00http://www.revengeofthebirds.com/rss/stream/111579032016-06-10T07:00:08-06:002016-06-10T07:00:08-06:00Contract negotiations with Honey Badger on hold
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<figcaption>Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>A deal could still get done before training camp.</p> <p id="HLNeF5">It was believed perhaps the Arizona Cardinals could have a new deal in place for safety Tyrann Mathieu, locking him up to a long-term deal beyond 2016, the final season of his rookie contract.</p>
<p id="6x7fPW">However, that has not happened, and according to NFL reporter Ian Rapoport, <a href="http://www.nfl.com/videos/arizona-cardinals/0ap3000000668270/Mathieu-and-Cardinals-putting-contract-negotiations-on-hold">discussions have been placed on hold</a>.</p>
<p id="NpatIL">The team has broken for the summer, as they wrapped up mini-camp and will not have players back until training camp. Rapoport said, according to sources, "they hoped to do a deal before they broke for the summer."</p>
<p id="2p6ACW">However, Rapoport followed up by saying, "that doesn’t mean it won’t happen before training camp.</p>
<p id="9Z084b">"There is a lot to like here. The Cardinals have made it quite clear, despite coming off two torn ACLs, the Honey Badger is a player they believe is a face of the franchise they want to lock up for the long term."</p>
<p id="67G5kU">Rapoport said he would be "surprised" if his eventual contract comes in less than $11 million per year. That would make him, in addition to the highest-paid safety in the league, one of the most highly-paid cornerbacks.</p>
<p id="dQxIgr">Mathieu doesn’t want to simply be slotted as a safety. He wants to be paid like a top defender. We have speculated on this site and on our podcast it will take about $12 million per year to get it done.</p>
<p id="EFW0ro">We keep hearing it is simply a matter of time. How much time will it actually take?</p>
https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2016/6/10/11900786/tyrann-mathieu-contract-extension-negotiations-on-holdJess Root2016-06-07T08:00:10-06:002016-06-07T08:00:10-06:00Badger patient as Harrison Smith gets paid
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<p>Tyrann Mathieu patient as safety market now seems set</p> <p>Arizona Cardinals fans continue to wait for the news of a contract extension for safety Tyrann Mathieu. There is nothing new on that front. However, the Minnesota Vikings inked safety Harrison Smith to a five-year contract extension that should catch the eyes of Mathieu's agent and establish some market value for him and for safety Eric Berry.</p>
<p>The Vikings made Smith the <a href="http://www.dailynorseman.com/2016/6/6/11866308/minnesota-vikings-make-harrison-smith-nfls-highest-paid-safety">highest-paid safety in the NFL</a> with a deal worth an average of $10.25 million per year, $10 million up front and nearly $29 million guaranteed.</p>
<p>The previous high for a contract extension for a safety was Earl Thomas' four years and $40 million. Eric Berry, currently with the franchise tag with the Kansas City Chiefs, is set to make $10.8 million in 2016, but a long-term deal has not been worked out.</p>
<p>What does this mean for Mathieu and Berry? It likely sets the bottom of their numbers.</p>
<p>It is expected the Cardinals eventually sign Mathieu to a deal that makes him the highest-paid safety, but it is not that simple because he is only a safety by label. He plays more cornerback than safety. He also has had two major knee injuries to consider, although his on-field impact is undeniable and he is a fan favorite.</p>
<p>Mathieu says he doesn't want to simply be labeled as a safety, but to be <a href="http://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2016/5/24/11759780/tyrann-mathieu-wants-to-be-paid-like-top-defender">paid as a top defender in the league. </a></p>
<p>With the Smith contract, the topic of Mathieu's coming deal came up and Mathieu said there isn't necessarily a rush to get it done <a href="http://www.azcardinals.com/news-and-events/article-2/Tyrann-Mathieu-In-No-Rush-For-Contract/f357a23b-5c0e-423f-928a-f54a9ec777ad">via AZCardinals.com. </a></p>
<p>"I want what is best for my team, and I want what’s best for me personally," Mathieu said. "I don’t want to be in a situation where it’s bad for both sides. I don’t think that’s fair to the Cardinals, to my teammates. The only way you win in this league is to get good players around you. You can have two or three people eating up the whole salary cap.</p>
<p>"I think it’s important for me to recognize that, to understand that side of it as well. But to also understand the type of player I am.</p>
<p>There was hope the team and Mathieu could have the deal done before the team breaks for the summer. That happens this Thursday. The players will not be back until training camp at the end of July. Will the deal happen before then? We have a couple of days to find out.</p>
https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2016/6/7/11874954/harrison-smith-gets-big-contract-extension-honey-badger-waits-for-hisJess Root2016-05-24T07:53:03-06:002016-05-24T07:53:03-06:00S? CB? Mathieu wants to be paid like top defender
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<p>It sounds like "highest paid safety" won't necessarily cut it. </p> <p>While it is expected that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> and <span>Tyrann Mathieu</span> come to terms on a lucrative long-term contract extension, there appears to be one thing that is an obstacle -- position labels. The most recent report coming out about how soon a contract extension could be done said Mathieu would become the highest paid safety in the NFL.</p>
<p>But Mathieu doesn't want to be paid like a safety necessarily. "</p>
<p>I just want to get paid as a top defender," <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/arizona-cardinals/post/_/id/20618/dont-label-cardinals-tyrann-mathieu-as-a-safety-or-cornerback" target="_blank">Mathieu told ESPN</a>. "I don't want to be slotted as a corner or a safety, because I'm not <span>Patrick Peterson</span> and I'm not Earl Thomas. I'm kind of different than both of those guys, but I still have the same type of impact on the game as those guys do.</p>
<p>"I just want to be paid as a top defender, and however that looks on paper, that's what I want."</p>
<p>Thomas' contract has a $10 million per year average. Peterson's is just over $14 million per year. Is Mathieu looking for something in that range, or something north of that, considering practically every contract is outdated?</p>
<p>There is no doubting Mathieu's impact. He was a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year before he went down with a torn ACL late in the season. His absence was noticed after his injury.</p>
<p>In that ESPN article linked above, there is a quote from Steve Keim that suggests this could be a sticking point. The Cardinals may well be saying they want to make him the highest paid safety. <span>Eric Berry</span> has the highest per-year average at around $10.8 million. The Cardinals could be offering $11 million per year. But Mathieu's camp might be looking more in the $12-$13 million range. He did play more than 60 percent of his snaps last year as a cornerback.</p>
<p>Is there something to panic about? Not really. Not citing examples, but it always feels like roadblocks are mentioned and then suddenly a deal is announced.</p>
<p>Until then, we have something to discuss -- how much should Mathieu be paid?</p>
https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2016/5/24/11759780/tyrann-mathieu-wants-to-be-paid-like-top-defenderJess Root2016-05-16T08:26:53-06:002016-05-16T08:26:53-06:00Cards, Mathieu 'deep in negotiations'
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<p>A new contract could happen before the summer. </p> <p>We might be getting news of a contract extension for <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> safety <span>Tyrann Mathieu</span>. While it seemed for a while this might get pushed back a little, an Ian Rapoport report suggests something could be done in the near future.</p>
<p>Rapoport tweeted on Monday Mathieu and the team are "<a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/732181009165357057?s=03" target="_blank">deep in negotiations</a>" and that Mathieu would soon become "the highest paid safety" in the NFL.</p>
<p>Rapoport said the contract "<a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/732182400109846528?s=03" target="_blank">could come before summer</a>."</p>
<p>Mathieu is rehabbing a torn ACL in the offseason, something that many felt could hamper negotiations a bit. He has had major injuries on both knees.</p>
<p>How soon could the news come?</p>
<p>The Cardinals have OTAs the next three weeks and then a week of mini-camp. That means we should probably expect to hear about a new deal by June 9, when the Cardinals break until training camp at the end of July.</p>
<p>Mathieu had a career season in 2015 before tearing his ACL in Philadelphia. He was in the mix for Defensive Player of the Year. He had 89 tackles, a sack, five interceptions, one returned for a touchdown and 17 passes defended.</p>
https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2016/5/16/11682930/tyrann-mathieu-contract-extension-honey-badger-arizona-cardinals-deepJess Root2016-04-08T11:54:47-06:002016-04-08T11:54:47-06:00Mathieu wants to be paid like more than a safety
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<p>Mathieu sees himself as much more than a safety. </p> <p>One of the offseason priorities for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> was to get safety <span>Tyrann Mathieu</span> signed to a long-term contract extension. Nothing has happened yet, although we have heard <a href="http://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2016/2/15/10997064/tyrann-mathieu-contract-extension-negotiations-have-begun-arizona" target="_blank">negotiations have begun</a> and the Cardinals have made an offer. Mathieu has said he would like to stay in Arizona, not only for his career, but <a href="http://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2016/1/26/10832304/tyrann-mathieu-wants-to-stay-in-arizona-forever-contract-extension-is" target="_blank">for the rest of his life</a>. He also has said he knows the Cardinals <a href="http://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2016/3/22/11283790/tyrann-mathieu-says-cardinals-have-leverage-currently-in-contract" target="_blank">have leverage right now</a> because of his injuries.</p>
<p>But in the well-publicized<a href="http://www.cbssports.com/general/eye-on-sports/25544505/honey-badger-dont-care-nothing-could-be-more-untrue-about-the-new-tyrann-mathieu" target="_blank"> video interview</a> he did with CBS Sports' Pete Prisco, we get a peek into how things might get tricky in negotiations.</p>
<p>Currently safeties are not getting a ton of money. While Earl Thomas got four years, $40 million, this offseason has not been good to safeties. <span>Rashad Johnson</span> only got $2 million from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/">Titans</a>. George Iloka, a young and very productive safety only got $30 million for five years and only $5 million guaranteed.</p>
<p>While Mathieu is a safety, he is actually much more and he sees himself that way.</p>
<p>"A lot of people get stuck as a cornerback or a safety," Mathieu said. "They want to be defined by one particular position. For me, 'Coach, please don't define me as one particular position.' I am smart enough play every position on the field and I am tough enough to play any position on the field."</p>
<p>He has played both safety positions. He has played all the corner positions. He would play linebacker or even defensive end.</p>
<p>That's where things get tough to define. The league pays players essentially by position. The safety position is not worth a ton right now. Cornerbacks are super valuable these days, though. And there really aren't any players in the league quite like Mathieu.</p>
<p>Then there are the knees. he had one complete reconstructed after basically all the ligaments were shredded. Now he is recovering from a torn ACL in the other knee. Durability has to be a concern.</p>
<p>"They have concerns, which is understandable," Mathieu said. "I've had two knee surgeries. At the same time, they know who I am as a teammate, as a football player, what I mean to the community and what I can do on the football field. The easiest thing is to pay me as a safety. But if Pat's (All-Pro cornerback <span>Patrick Peterson</span>) guy goes down, I have to check Pat's guy. For me, it's about me being compensated for everything I do."</p>
<p>There it is -- the business talk. He has been quoted as saying money isn't the most important thing. But that doesn't mean he won't want to be paid among the top defensive players if he is one of them. He is a safety AND he is a corner. But he is undersized and has had two major knee surgeries. What do you do?</p>
<p>This isn't saying things will get contentious or there will be breakdowns in talks. Everyone seems to believe something will get done. But while it seemed during the season before his injury it would be smooth sailing, it might get a little tricky.</p>
https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2016/4/8/11393412/tyrann-mathieu-contract-extension-tricky-because-he-believes-he-isJess Root2016-03-22T08:22:33-06:002016-03-22T08:22:33-06:00Mathieu: Cards have leverage in contract talks
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<p>Safety knows he has to be patient. </p> <p>The <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona Cardinals</a> have stated this offseason a priority is to get safety <span>Tyrann Mathieu</span> signed to a long-term extension. There are some obstacles. For one, he is recovering from a torn ACL. The team is also <a target="_blank" href="http://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2016/3/21/11275206/arizona-cardinals-running-out-of-salary-cap-space">flush with the salary cap</a> right now, so at the moment it seems unlikely anything will happen.</p>
<p>Mathieu recently described how he expects the negotiations to go, calling them a wrestling match.</p>
<p>Speaking to reporters recently (<a target="_blank" href="http://nbcsports1060.com/tyrann-mathieu-cardinals-have-leverage-in-contract-negotiations/">via NBC Sports 1060</a>), he attempted to clarify his comments, essentially saying the team currently has the leverage and it will be a long process to get a deal.</p>
<p>"What I meant was is, obviously, both sides are going to make an argument about what (I) can do and cannot do," he explained. "For me, it's just about being patient, playing it smart, and like I've always said, the biggest thing is getting back healthy. I feel like the leverage is really in the Cardinals corner, so for me, it's just about being patient."</p>
<p>Perhaps he is willing to go another season and show he is dominant again coming off another knee injury before signing on the dotted line.</p>
<p>He is due to make more than $1.7 million 2016.</p>
<p>How much will his new contract end up being? <span>Earl Thomas</span> got four years, $40 million two years ago. That's a good starting place, considering the direction of player salaries. He also plays more nickel corner than safety, so he might try to fight for money more like a corner, who get paid more than safeties typically.</p>
<p>Mathieu is not being difficult about it. He understands the business of the NFL. He has no intentions of leaving the Cardinals. He has said money isn't the most important thing and that he would like to stay in Arizona forever.</p>
<p>But as things stand, it does make sense to be patient.</p>
https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2016/3/22/11283790/tyrann-mathieu-says-cardinals-have-leverage-currently-in-contractJess Root2016-02-15T08:52:17-07:002016-02-15T08:52:17-07:00Cards have made initial extension offer to Mathieu
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<p>Mathieu "optimistic" something will get done. </p> <p>We already know the <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona Cardinals</a> have a goal to get safety <span>Tyrann Mathieu</span> signed to a lucrative long-term deal this offseason. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.foxsports910.com/onair/mike-jurecki-9574/five-questions-with-azcardinals-tyrann-mathieu-14381858/">Negotiations have apparently begun</a>, according to Mike Jurecki. He spoke to Mathieu at an autograph signing in Casa Grande.</p>
<p>Mathieu reiterated something he has already said this offseason. "I want to spend the rest of my career here," he said. He is focused on his knee and getting it healthy, though.</p>
<p>Jurecki found out the Cardinals have made an initial contract offer. Mathieu "didn't want to get into details of the negotiations, but was optimistic something would get done at some point."</p>
<p>Jurecki thinks the contract the <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Seattle Seahawks</a> gave <span>Earl Thomas</span> will serve as a model for the Mathieu deal. He got four years, $40 million, with $25.7 million guaranteed and a $9.5 million signing bonus.</p>
<p>Seth Cox has speculated a couple of times on this site he could get five years, $65 million and $35 million guaranteed.</p>
<p>Regarding his surgically repaired knee, Mathieu said, "hopefully they can see me for training camp." He told Jurecki he is further along in his rehab after six weeks than he was the last time he went through this. Of course, this time it was only the ACL and not his whole knee.</p>
<p>As contracts have gone for the Cardinals the last few years, it doesn't sound like this process will be tough. The deal will get done. There were no hanguips for <span>Larry Fitzgerald</span> or <span>Patrick Peterson</span>. A deal for Mathieu will get done.</p>
https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2016/2/15/10997064/tyrann-mathieu-contract-extension-negotiations-have-begun-arizonaJess Root2016-01-26T08:00:07-07:002016-01-26T08:00:07-07:00Badger wants to stay with Cardinals for life
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<p>The kid is going to get paid. </p> <p>It has been reported a couple of times. The most recent report was from this weekend, when NFL.com reporter Ian Rapoport reported a contract extension for <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona Cardinals</a> safety <span>Tyrann Mathieu</span> <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/691250244131123201">is an offseason priority</a> and that he would likely end up the highest-paid safety in the league.</p>
<p>The ACL injury he suffered might play a factor into negotiations, especially since it is his second major knee injury in three season, but it sounds like the team is confident of his recovery and elite play.</p>
<p>Even better is the fact that Mathieu doesn't want to go anywhere. "I think this is the perfect place for me," he told reporters on Monday (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.azcardinals.com/news-and-events/article-2/Tyrann-Mathieu-Wants-To-Be-Cardinals-Lifer/ac1403b2-de68-45d9-b398-e2ebdbdd11ab">via AZCardinals.com</a>). "I wouldn't mind spending the rest of my life here."</p>
<p>Mathieu was an All-Pro this season. He is dynamic on the field. He is the heartbeat of the defense. He changes games.</p>
<p>He won't be cheap to keep. It might cost the Cardinals $12-$13 million a year in terms of average salary.</p>
<p>But there is no denying his importance to the defense and his popularity with the fans. Locking him up long term makes sense. It is also risky, considering his size, style of play and (now) his injury history. But it is what the tea, has to do.</p>
https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2016/1/26/10832304/tyrann-mathieu-wants-to-stay-in-arizona-forever-contract-extension-isJess Root