New Orleans Saints defensive back Tyrann Mathieu announced Tuesday that he is retiring from the NFL after 12 seasons and three first-team All-Pro selections. The 33-year-old Mathieu, a product of LSU, spent the last three seasons with the Saints and started in all 51 regular season games.
“As I hang up my cleats, I’m filled with gratitude as I close this chapter of my life and officially retire from the game that’s shaped me in every way,” Mathieu wrote on social media. “From my first snap in college to my final play in the NFL, this journey has been nothing short of a blessing. Football gave me purpose, discipline, and memories that will stay with me forever. But more than anything, it gave me a community.
“To every coach who believed in me, every teammate who battled beside me, and every fan who showed up, cheered, and rode with me through the highs and lows, thank you. You gave me the strength when I needed it most, and your love carried me farther than I ever imagined.”
Though the timing of Mathieu’s retirement is surprising, given that New Orleans starts training camp on July 23, general manager Mickey Loomis said that Mathieu informed the franchise of his decision before he went public.
“Just have so much respect for Tyrann and what he’s accomplished,” Loomis said. “He’s a legendary Louisiana player, legendary NFL player. Really appreciate his time with us. He was fantastic and I have a lot of good things to say about him.”
Mathieu, who played high school football at St. Augustine in New Orleans, signed with the Saints in 2022 and logged a career-high 91 tackles in his first season with the franchise. He had 10 interceptions and 24 pass deflections over the past three years.
The Arizona Cardinals selected Mathieu with the 69th pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. He earned the first first-team All-Pro honor of his career in 2015 and in 2019 signed with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he was again named a first-team All-Pro and earned a ring in Super Bowl 54.
Mathieu was a back-to-back Pro Bowler from 2020-21 with Kansas City. He finishes his NFL career with 838 tackles, 100 pass deflections and 36 interceptions.
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Author: Will Backus
July 22, 2025 | 3:36 pm
