New Orleans Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu shocked the football world on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, by announcing his retirement from the NFL in an Instagram post.
Just 33 years old, Mathieu seemed to have plenty left in the tank. He played at least 15 games in each of his last eight NFL seasons and had at least three interceptions in each of his last six campaigns.
Mathieu finished his career with 837 tackles and 36 interceptions in 12 years. He made three Pro Bowls and won a Super Bowl with the 2020-21 Kansas City Chiefs.
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Honey Badger Retires With $97.5M In Career NFL Earnings
Nicknamed the “Honey Badger”, Mathieu overcame early-career adversity to become one of the most impactful defensive backs of his era.
While character concerns and a lack of size hurt his draft stock, he wasted no time making a name for himself in the NFL. The LSU legend burst onto the scene in his third season, amassing five interceptions as a member of the Arizona Cardinals.
Throughout his career, Mathieu played for the Cardinals, Texans, Chiefs, and Saints, earning a reputation for his instinctive play, relentless motor, and ability to line up anywhere in the secondary.
Mathieu will retire with $97.5 million in career NFL earnings, making him the highest-paid safety ever through the 2024 season. However, his spot atop the list won’t last long, as Harrison Smith, who is No. 2 on the list, is still active and set to earn $10 million in 2025.
To put things in perspective, Kirby Joseph, currently the NFL’s highest-paid safety, recently signed a record four-year, $86 million deal with the Detroit Lions that will instantly make him one of the top earners ever at the position.
Among all-time defensive backs, Mathieu earned slightly less than Hall of Famer Charles Woodson, who earned $97.9 million during his NFL career. Woodson played safety but was primarily a cornerback, where spent 14 of his 18 NFL seasons compared to just four at safety.
Highest-Paid NFL Safeties Ever Through 2024 Season
- Tyrann Mathieu – $97.5M
- Harrison Smith – $96.5M
- Eric Berry – $93.8M
- Devin McCourtney – $92.6M
- Budda Baker – $81M
Note: All figures via Spotrac through the 2024-25 season
NFL Players Show Their Appreciation To Mathieu Via Social Media
Several NFL players, both past and present, took to social media to show their admiration and respect for Tyrann Mathieu following his retirement announcement.
Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II was among the players who reached out to Mathieu following his retirement. “🐐 Legend ! One of the greatest to do it ✊🏽✊🏽”, Surtain commented.
Even Colorado football coach Deion Sanders, widely considered one of the greatest cornerbacks ever to play, paid his respects to Mathieu by commenting on the post. “Naw Legend it’s more gas in that tank than it is on the NFL field!” Sanders replied. “Wow. I’m so proud of u man. You did the doggone thang. Well done my brother well done! Love man”
J.J. Watt, Derek Carr, Mark Ingram, DeMario Davis, and Justin Simmons were also among the NFL players to reach out in the comment section.
