Mathieu agrees to deal with the Saints

The New Orleans Saints and Tyrann Mathieu have agreed to a three-year, $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 contract includes $18 million guaranteed, a sizeable investment for a player 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.

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.

He 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 to have deep ties to the city that brought him up.

He also has deep ties to LSU, where he earned the nickname “Honey Badger” with his tenacious play. He played two seasons for the Tigers, and was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy and won the Bednarik Award as the nation’s top defensive player after his sophomore season. But his college career was cut short when thentigers coach Les Miles dismissed him for a repeated violation of team rules.

Matheiu was drafted by Arizona in the third round in 2013 and became a dependable star for coach Bruce Arians, and still credits his time in the desert for everything that has come since: two All-pro nods with Kansas City to go with one earned in Arizona, and trips to the Pro Bowl each of the past three seasons.

He played five seasons for the Cardinals before a year with the Texans. He signed with the Chiefs as a free agent for $42 million over three years.

Kazee joins Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed free-agent safety Damontae Kazee to a one-year contract.

Kazee spent the 2021 season in Dallas, making 52 tackles and finishing with two interceptions in 17 games (15 starts).

The 28-year-old Kazee began his career in Atlanta, playing four seasons for the Falcons from 2017-20. He tied for the NFL lead with seven interceptions in 2018.

Kazee will compete for playing time with Terrell Edmunds, the Steelers’ firstround pick in 2017 who was resigned to a one-year deal.