Cardinals, Mathieu agree to 5-year deal worth reported $62.5M
The Arizona Cardinals and defensive back Tyrann Mathieu reached an agreement Tuesday on a five-year contract extension, the team announced.
The deal is worth $62.5 million including $40-million guaranteed, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport was the first to report the story.
Mathieu was named a first-team All-Pro for the second time in his career in 2015, excelling as a slot cornerback and free safety. The 24-year-old was a leading candidate for Defensive Player of the Year honors prior to suffering a torn ACL against the Philadelphia Eagles on Dec. 20.
Blessed....
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) August 2, 2016
Although he's listed as a safety, he graded out as Pro Football Focus' best cornerback in 2015.
Tyrann Mathieu's $40M guaranteed (according to @AdamSchefter) would be T-4th most among current DBs: pic.twitter.com/ATzNxfkNuh
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 2, 2016
The Cardinals selected Mathieu in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft following a prolific, albeit tumultuous, collegiate career at LSU. He was a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2011, but was dismissed from the team after a failed drug test. Since joining the Cardinals, he has been incident-free, and head coach Bruce Arians said the defensive back is his "happiest draft choice."
Related: 3 reasons why Tyrann Mathieu should be NFL's highest-paid safety
Mathieu recorded 89 tackles, five interceptions, a sack, and a forced fumble in 14 games last season.
The Cardinals star remains on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list as a result of the torn ACL, but is expected to feature as a central component of the team's defense in 2016.