NOTEBOOK Mathieu joining hometown Saints
The New Orleans Saints and Tyrann Mathieu have agreed to a threeyear, $33 million contract, reuniting the All-Pro safety with his hometown team, a person familiar with the terms told the Associated Press on Tuesday.
The person confirmed the contract on condition of anonymity because it was not yet signed. It includes $18 million guaranteed, a sizeable investment for a safety who turns 30 next week.
The Saints had been searching for help at the position after Marcus Williams signed with the Ravens in free agency and Malcom Jenkins announced his retirement in March. The only defensive back they drafted was Tennessee’s Alontae Taylor in the second round, but he is expected to remain at his natural cornerback position.
By signing Mathieu after Monday’s deadline, he will not count against the Saints in the formula for compensatory picks.
Mathieu spent the past three seasons in Kansas City, where he helped the Chiefs make three consecutive AFC title games, reach two Super Bowls and win their first championship in 50 years. And the two sides had discussed an extension during last offseason, but they were never close to reaching an agreement, leaving Mathieu’s status uncertain last season.
It became clear he would not return when the Chiefs signed former Texans safety Justin Reid early in free agency.
Mathieu was raised by his grandparents in the Central City neighborhood of New Orleans, then became a star football player and track athlete for St. Augustine High School, and he continues have deep ties to the city that brought him up. He also played two seasons at LSU.
Cowboys sign Tech K Garibay
Texas Tech kicker Jonathan Garibay, whose 62yard field goal last season was the longest gamewinning kick in the final minute in FBS history, is among 20 undrafted rookie free agents to agree to contracts with the Dallas Cowboys.
Garibay’s kick came on the final play against Iowa State in November, giving the Red Raiders a 41-38 victory. It was the longest field goal in Texas Tech history.
After giving up his final year of eligibility to enter the draft but not getting selected, Garibay still should have a chance to win the Cowboys’ job.
Dallas released Greg Zuerlein in a cost-cutting move but hoped to bring him back. Zuerlein signed with the New York Jets instead. Chris Naggar, a second-year pro, is the other kicker on the roster.
Garibay set another Texas Tech record by making his first 13 field goals last season. He finished 15 of 16, with the only miss coming on a 53-yard attempt on the final play of a 27-24 loss at Baylor two weeks after the 62-yarder.