Mathieu played 12 NFL seasons, had three Pro Bowls and three All-Pro selections.
A former Arizona Cardinals player who was key during their run of success in the middle of the 2010s has called it a career. Safety Tyrann Mathieu, originally drafted by the Arizona Cardinals, announced his retirement from the NFL after 12 seasons.
He made the announcement on his Instragram account.
As I hang up my cleats, I’m filled with gratitude as I close this chapter of my life and officially retire from the game that’s shaped me in every way.
From my first snap in college to my final play in the NFL, this journey has been nothing short of a blessing. Football gave me purpose, discipline, and memories that will stay with me forever. But more than anything, it gave me a community.
To every coach who believed in me, every teammate who battled beside me, and every fan who showed up, cheered, and rode with me through the highs and lows, thank you. You gave me strength when I needed it most, and your love carried me farther than I ever imagined.
I hope I made you proud out there.This isn’t goodbye — it’s just the next chapter.
Much love, always.
Tyrann 💚
If you read through the comments, you will see many former Cardinals teammates — Carson Palmer, Kerwynn Williams, Rashad Johnson, Justin Bethel, Jaron Brown, Tyvon Branch, Chris Johnson, Elijhaa Penny and Frostee Rucker — had kind words.
And if you’re wondering why Patrick Peterson wasn’t in the comments, it’s because he had his own Instagram post about Mathieu’s retirement.
He was drafted in the third round in 2013 and made an immediate impact. He was fourth in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting but tore his left ACL near the end of his season. He played in 13 games in 2014 but was great in 2015, earning first-team All-Pro honors, picking off five passes and breaking up 17 passes. But he tore his other ACL at the end of the season.
After a big contract extension before the 2016 season, he played two more seasons before the Cardinals cut him.
He played seven more seasons with the Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs and, for the last three seasons, the New Orleans Saints.
In his career, he earned three Pro Bowl selections and three first-team All-Pro selections.
The Cardinals posted a congratulary message to social media with the announcement.
Mathieu finishes his career with 838 total tackles, 11 sacks, 36 interceptions, four returned for touchdowns, 100 pass breakups, seven forced fumbles and eight fumble recoveries.
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