Report: Chiefs land Mathieu on 3-year, $42M contract

Free-agent safety Tyrann Mathieu and the Kansas City Chiefs agreed to a three-year, $42-million contract on Monday, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN.

The news comes hours after a report surfaced claiming his previous team, the Houston Texans, offered him a long-term deal worth more than $9.5 million annually.

Mathieu joins the AFC West champs after just one season in Houston. He'll bolster a defense that struggled mightily last year and is in the process of switching to a 4-3 scheme under new coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.

The 26-year-old Mathieu collected 89 tackles, three sacks, and two interceptions with the Texans.

"Honey Badger" received a warm welcome to the Chiefs from reigning league MVP Patrick Mahomes.

Mathieu spent the first four seasons of his career with the Arizona Cardinals, earning a Pro Bowl selection in 2015.

It remains to be seen whether the arrival of Mathieu affects the standing of fellow high-priced safety Eric Berry in Kansas City.