[ad_1]
KANSAS CITY, MONTH (AP) – The Kansas City Chiefs on Monday signed a $ 42 million security deal, Tyrann Mathieu, as an extension of what should be an aggressive overhaul of their defense against defeat.
Two people familiar with the deal confirmed the move. People have talked to the Associated Press under the guise of anonymity, because the agreement can not be formalized until Wednesday, when league new year begins and free agents can sign contracts.
Mathieu, 26, was selected by Arizona in the third round of the 2013 draft after a remarkable career at LSU. He showed a glimpse of his hawking and playmaking skills with the Cardinals, winning a Pro Bowl selection in the 2015 season, but also suffered many injuries.
He ruptured the left knee ligaments in 2013 and right knee at the end of 2015.
Mathieu signed a $ 7 million deal with Houston last season and started the 16 games. He tied his career record with 89 tackles, added three sacks and a pair of interceptions. His versatility – able to cover like a half corner and tackle as a safety – is clearly appealing.
"It's a league of passage and everyone is trying to create disparities in high school," said Chiefs Chief Executive Brett Veach. "Just when you think you have enough corners, you have to start putting them safe, but I certainly think you're starting to see this trend of guys projecting corners to safety and getting as many cover guys as possible out of field."
The money that the chefs intend to give the "Honey Badger" is pretty much the one that they released on Sunday, when they released the hunter Justin Houston after failing to arouse their commercial interest.
Houston owed $ 15.25 million this season and had an impact on the salary cap of $ 21.1 million. The decision to release him freed about $ 14 million. This allowed the leaders to actively pursue Mathieu while leaving enough salary space to address other aspects of their defense.
Leaders go from a 3-4 basic defense to a 4-3 system under the guidance of new coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, which means that some of their former staff is not suitable. The Chiefs have used the franchise label on Dee Ford, but they continue to listen to potential commercial offers.
In the meantime, they are considering free placement and the project of adding a rebound, upgrading their linebacker and upgrading their high school. Kendall Fuller was solid in his first season in Kansas City, but cornerback Steven Nelson is a free agent and things are fragile further down the depth chart.
The Chiefs were also determined to find a way to protect themselves with Eric Berry, who missed most of last season with a mysterious foot injury. Berry carries a huge blow with a salary cap, but the Chiefs have missed Landon Collins in autonomy and seem content to keep him on the list.
If he is healthy, Berry and Mathieu would form one of the best security duos in the AFC.
"We are comfortable with our players," Veach said. "We have a plan in place for these guys and no one is more than enthusiastic about going back to this business as Eric."
Anything would be an upgrade from last season, when the Chiefs allowed 425.6 yards and 35.3 points, the worst league result. The defense eventually dropped Kansas City at the moment that mattered most, failing to leave the field in overtime in a defeat in the AFC match against the New England Patriots.
Defensive coordinator Bob Sutton was fired a few days later, the leaders quickly hired Spagnuolo and are now starting to gather what they hope to be a significantly improved unit before next season.
"A great thing about Steve is that he's going to put players in a position to make games and I do not think he's going to be cataloged into an idea or concept," Veach said. "We have an excellent coaching staff, we certainly have talent on our list now and I hope we'll add more here soon."
___
More NFL AP: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL
[ad_2]
Source link