New England Patriots rumors: 3 Chiefs to target in 2022 NFL free agency
Why the New England Patriots should target free safety Tyrann Mathieu
A big part of the Kansas City Chiefs’ defense over the past few seasons has been free safety Tyrann Mathieu. If the team wants to make another run with their current core, they will want to bring back “The Honey Badger,” if the price is right considering some other areas of need.
The good thing for the Chiefs is that Mathieu has hinted about remaining in Kansas City. During an interview prior to 2022 NFL Honors, the veteran safety expressed how he hopes free agency pans out.
"“The hope and the dream is to continue to be a Kansas City Chief,” Mathieu said. “We created so much history the last couple years. I want to be in Kansas City and I think everybody knows that.”"
If the two sides can’t work anything out, Bill Belichick should certainly kick the tires, especially if Devin McCourty retires or the team decides not to bring him back. Not only would the Patriots get a little younger with Mathieu vs McCourty, but they would also add some physicality with the Honey Badger playing alongside Kyle Dugger and Adrian Phillips.
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Now, the All-Pro safety would cost some money, so this idea may not be realistic. That doesn’t mean the Patriots shouldn’t at least try to bolster their defensive secondary with a playmaker like Tyran Matheiu who is the type of safety Belichick has historically valued if you think about the many years with Rodney Harrison back there.
Although the odds are high, he remains in Kansas City, Mathieu is a player to watch in free agency. Money aside, you can never rule out Belichick with the respect he has earned from veteran defensive players around the league.