New Orleans Saints legend Tyrann Matthieu is retiring from the NFL after playing 12 seasons.
Tyrann Mathieu has officially announced his retirement from the NFL after 12 seasons, ending one of the most impactful defensive careers of his generation.
The news broke late Tuesday night, July 22, 2025, just as the New Orleans Saints were preparing to open training camp.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported the retirement via Mathieu’s agent on X.
Mathieu walks away with 180 career games, 834 total tackles, 36 interceptions, 100 passes defended, 11 sacks, seven forced fumbles, and eight recoveries. A three-time Pro Bowler and three-time First Team All-Pro, he also won a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019 and earned a spot on the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team.
Nicknamed the “Honey Badger” for his relentless playing style, Mathieu first rose to prominence with the Arizona Cardinals before making stops with the Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, and finally his hometown New Orleans Saints.
He was known not only for his elite instincts and versatility but also for his leadership and intensity.
Mathieu’s retirement leaves a major hole in the Saints’ secondary. New Orleans was counting on him to be the anchor in a safety room that recently added veteran Justin Reid and rookie Jonas Sanker.
As Caleb Yaccarino of Canal Street Chronicles wrote, Mathieu was expected to serve as the defensive quarterback, helping bridge the gap between a young secondary and a new coaching staff under first-year head coach Kellen Moore.
Still, there’s a financial silver lining.
According to Nikhil Mehta of Pro Football Rumors, Mathieu had restructured his deal this past March to a one-year, $4 million contract. His retirement now frees up approximately $23.8 million in cap space for the Saints heading into 2026.
That financial flexibility could allow New Orleans to address other roster needs, especially on defense.
Mathieu’s career earnings sit just below $100 million, and his Hall of Fame case is already gaining traction. Nick Shook of NFL.com noted that Mathieu’s unique ability to play multiple roles in the secondary and generate turnovers made him one of the most valuable defenders of the past decade. Jason Owens of Yahoo Sports echoed that sentiment, calling him a strong Hall of Fame candidate with a résumé built on versatility, leadership, and winning.
While his retirement does leave a leadership void on the Saints’ defense, the timing allows the team to pivot and invest in its future. Mathieu, meanwhile, departs on his own terms as a Super Bowl champion, an All-Decade defender, and a hometown hero in New Orleans.
And whether it’s now or in five years, it feels like only a matter of time before we start calling him what he’s earned the right to be:
Hall of Famer Tyrann Mathieu.
Category: Football
