Cardinals' Mathieu: 'I just want to be paid as a top defender'

Arizona Cardinals defensive back Tyrann Mathieu is arguably one of the league's most impactful defensive players, but he's also part of increasing group of hybrid players that can't be classified under just one position.

This is rarely an issue on the field, but it can be a roadblock when a player is negotiating for a new contract, as the NFL has yet to adjust its rigid compensation philosophy to reflect the increasingly blurred lines between positions.

Mathieu's new deal could set a precedent, as he doesn't want to be viewed as a corner or a safety, but simply wants to be compensated like a premier player.

"I just want to get paid as a top defender," Mathieu told ESPN's Josh Weinfuss. "I don't want to be slotted as a corner or a safety, because I'm not Patrick Peterson and I’m not Earl Thomas. I'm kind of different than both of those guys, but I still have the same type of impact on the game as those guys do.

"I just want to be paid as a top defender, and however that looks on paper, that’s what I want."

Both Mathieu and the Cardinals have been reluctant to put a timeframe on completing a new deal. The 24-year-old called negotiations "smooth," but one of the factors that could be complicating matters - outside of his hybrid role - is Mathieu's injury history.

Mathieu suffered the second devastating knee injury of his career last season, tearing his ACL. Although the Cardinals have expressed confidence in his long-term health, and Mathieu said he won't take any risks by rushing back onto the field, it's always a concern to hand a big-money deal to a player with health concerns.

"There are factors in every negotiation, but he's a guy that we want to continue to be a core player for us and I think that's the most important factor," general manager Steve Keim said. "He's great in our locker room, he works his tail off and he's the kind of guy that I would be on to return from this injury. So, as far as the injury goes, it's unfortunate that that has happened in the past, but at the same time, I would bet on Tyrann Mathieu having success in this league.”