New Orleans Saints Safety Tyrann Mathieu Announces NFL Retirement

Tyrann Mathieu has stepped away from football after 12 NFL seasons, sharing the news as the Saints reported for training camp on Tuesday, July 22.

According to ESPN, the veteran safety revealed his decision in a black‑and‑white Instagram photo of his Jordan cleats dangling from a wire, writing, “As I hang up my cleats, I'm filled with gratitude…This isn't goodbye—it's just the next chapter.”

Mathieu leaves an accomplished résumé. The 33‑year‑old New Orleans native appeared in 180 regular‑season games and logged 834 tackles, 11 sacks, and 36 interceptions—four returned for touchdowns—plus seven forced fumbles and eight recoveries. His 36 picks rank second among active players at the moment of his retirement.

He earned three first‑team All‑Pro nods, three Pro Bowl selections, and a spot on the NFL 2010s All‑Decade Team. The “Honey Badger” also collected a Super Bowl ring with Kansas City in the 2019 season (Super Bowl LIV).

Mathieu first gained national attention at LSU, finishing as a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2011 before the program dismissed him in 2012 for off‑field issues. Arizona selected him in the third round in 2013, and he rewarded the Cardinals with an immediate impact, finishing fourth in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.

After spending five seasons in Arizona, Mathieu spent 2018 with Houston before joining the Chiefs, where he served as defensive captain during their championship run. In 2022, he returned home to New Orleans, starting all 51 games for the Saints over three years and anchoring a young secondary. Over 11,000 snaps, he became one of two defensive backs this century with at least 30 interceptions and 10 sacks.

Mathieu’s farewell closed with gratitude: “To every coach who believed in me, every teammate who battled beside me, and every fan who showed up…thank you. You gave me strength when I needed it most.”