Arizona Cardinals defensive back Tyrann Mathieu has made a name for himself in the NFL after dealing with substance abuse in college. It really is one of the most heartwarming stories around the league.
On the field, he’s earned an All-Pro nod and continues to play at a high level as a safety for the Cardinals. In no way does that mean Arizona plans to bring him back.
According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, the Cardinals are expected to move on from the still young 25-year-old defensive back.
Based on everything I've heard this week at the combine would be very surprised if Tyrann Mathieu is back in Arizona next season
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 3, 2018
Arizona selected another safety, Budda Baker, in the second round of last year’s draft. He ultimately ended up earning Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors himself as a rookie. This has made Mathieu expendable for a Cardinals squad that isn’t necessarily in the best of cap situations and needs upgrades at other areas to return to relevance in what promises to be an ultra-competitive NFC West next season.
Mathieu is coming off a 2017 campaign that saw him record 74 tackles, two interceptions and a forced fumbles. He’s entering the second year of a five-year, $62.5 million extension he signed with Arizona back in 2016. If Arizona were to release Mathieu, it would save less than $5 million against the cap with a $9.3 million dead cap hit. This means a trade seems to be more likely.