Tyrann Mathieu focused on winning over money after release by Arizona
Thursday 15 March 2018 18:55, UK
Free agent safety Tyrann Mathieu will prioritise joining a winning team following his release by the Arizona Cardinals on Wednesday.
The 25-year-old was released by the Cardinals after he refused to take a pay cut upon the team's request.
Mathieu could land himself a huge deal as one of the top free agents available but he insists money will not be his main focus when choosing his next team.
"It's not all about money for me," Mathieu told Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer. "I want to go somewhere where I can be completely immersed in football, and it's not too much about anything but winning. I want to be a part of winning culture, where you feel that all the time. That's all I want."
Mathieu tells Breer the team first asked him to take $5m off his $11 m salary for 2018. When he refused, the team came back with $3m.
Mathieu refused again, prompting his release.
The 2013 third-round pick out of LSU recorded 11 interceptions, four forced fumbles and four sacks in 66 games with the Cardinals, but he sustained ACL tears in 2013 and 2015.
Mathieu, known as the 'Honey Badger', was selected to the Pro Bowl and the NFL All-Pro team in 2015. He made 74 tackles and had two interceptions last season.
Mathieu was entering the third season of a five-year $62.5m contract.
The $12.5m average was second among safeties behind Kansas City's Eric Berry ($13m).
