Team bracing for Mathieu’s badgering in secondary
Tyrann Mathieu doesn’t lack for colorful nicknames, energy or intensity. And the noise coming from Mathieu is almost always cranked up to full volume.
Known as “The Landlord” and “Honey Badger,” the Kansas City Chiefs’ talkative and compact safety plays the game with a rare aggressiveness, range and instincts.
The Texans experi- enced Mathieu’s unique brand of leadership two years ago before he joined the Chiefs last year on a three-year, $42 million free agent contract.
Mathieu delivered a similar accountability and infectious enthusiasm to his Kansas City teammates as he did with the Texans during a one-and-done season. He was a key figure in propelling the Chiefs to a Super Bowl victory last season.
With his hard-hitting style, Mathieu immediately upgraded the Chiefs’ toughness and versatility and emerged as an impact player. He was named All-Pro, recording 75 tackles, four interceptions, two sacks and 12 passes defensed.
Mathieu was a negotiating priority initially for the Texans after the 2018 season, but their multiyear offers ranging between $10 million and $11 million annually were trumped by the Chiefs’ blockbuster deal.
Now, the Texans have to compete against Mathieu on Thursday night in a rematch of their playoff loss at Arrowhead Stadium.
“He’s a great player,” Texans coach and general manager Bill O’Brien said. “We only had him for a year here, but he made an impact on this organization from a leadership standpoint, from a playing standpoint. Very smart player, one of the smartest players that we’ve had here.
“When they were able to get him in free agency, I remember (Chiefs) coach (Andy) Reid and I talking, and he’s brought the same thing there, obviously, to Kansas City. It’s tough, but those are the things that happen in the NFL. We’re going to have to do a good job. They line him up in a lot of different spots. They use him in a lot of different ways and we’re going to have to be ready for him.”
Last season, Mathieu lined up at several different positions. That included 411 snaps in the slot, 359 snaps as a traditional safety and 224 snaps at linebacker.
During his lone season in Houston, Mathieu started every game and had 89 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions.
“He makes it really hard,” Texans offensive coordinator Tim Kelly said of Mathieu. “He’s very instinctive. He understands offense. He understands defense. He knows how to disguise. He’s a good blitzer. He finds the football.”
Although he’s famously undersized at 5-foot-9 and 190 pounds, Mathieu plays the game with a feisty style and a gigantic chip on his shoulder pads.
Even in the wake of the Texans’ trade of DeAndre Hopkins to Arizona, Mathieu is expecting a challenge against their receiving corps and quarterback Deshaun Watson.
“They’re still a talented group,” Mathieu told Kansas City reporters. “With or without DeAndre, I think they have the ability to wreck a football game. There’s still a lot of speed out there. They removed ‘Hop,’ but they brought in (Randall) Cobb, who’s a veteran who I’m sure possesses some of the traits Hop possesses.
“I’m pretty sure Deshaun Watson and his team are going to make some big plays. We can’t get down as a defense. We’ve got to keep rallying.”
Mathieu, 28, has recorded 472 career tackles, 17 interceptions, nine sacks, four forced fumbles and 61 passes defensed in seven NFL seasons.
“I’ve always had a lot of respect for him,” Cobb said. “I’ve always loved watching his game dating back to college. I think this will be the first time I get to match up against him.
“I think this will be the first time we actually get to match up, so I look forward to that. He’s a great competitor. What he brings to the game is special and he loves fun and he loves doing what he does. I look forward to the matchup.” Seeing a familiar face and old friend in Mathieu is something the Texans’ receivers are looking forward to.
The game is more enjoyable when Mathieu is on the field, even as an opponent.
“It’s always fun playing against guys who were on your team before,” Will Fuller said. “Tyrann’s a competitive person and a guy I watched growing up when he was in college. It’s always fun playing against guys that were on your team and are competitive like he is.”