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According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the New Orleans Saints are close to a deal with defensive back Tyrann Mathieu.
New Orleans did not address the safety position in the NFL draft.
The 29-year-old lived up to his last three-year contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, earning first-team All-Pro honors in both 2020 and 2019. He was selected to his third career Pro Bowl in 2021.
Kansas City signed the safety to help fix a defense that finished 24th in the league in points allowed. The unit has been ranked in the top 10 in points allowed the past three years. In the last two seasons, the Chiefs won the Super Bowl.
In 2020 he set a career-high with six picks, returning one for a touchdown and 62 tackles.
The two sides couldn't work out an extension despite the success on the field.
The salary-cap situation last August was described by the general manager as "super tricky" by Adam Teicher.
Heading into free agency, it was clear that Mathieu wouldn't return.
Tyrann Mathieu @Mathieu_Erapic.twitter.com/acIULNIetG
Kansas City added a new player in free agency, while Mathieu will get a fresh start with a new team.
The veteran should make an immediate impact on the defense because he can cover a lot of ground and force turnovers. Even though Marcus Williams is leaving, the league's 4 scoring defense shouldn't lose a step.
The last couple years, the Saints have been top-five in defense.
The move represents a return to New Orleans for Mathieu, who played college football at LSU.
Heading into 2022, it seems like it creates a perfect fit.
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