There’s more than one NFC squad pursuing Tyrann Mathieu.
The free-agent safety recently met with the New Orleans Saints, calling the potential homecoming “a great opportunity” in an interview with The Advocate’s Wilson Alexander.
Yet Mathieu’s market is expanding. According to NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill, the Philadelphia Eagles are also interested in the Honey Badger.
Hearing the Eagles are interested in Tyrann Mathieu. Saints will have competition if they want him.
— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) April 7, 2022
Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Mathieu had a virtual meeting with the Eagles, who have “emerged as a prime location.”
Sources: Free agent DB Tyrann Mathieu had a virtual visit with the #Eagles, as Philly has emerged as a prime location for one of the top free agents. The Honey Badger visited the #Saints this week, and now has done a zoom with Philly. His market is heating up.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 7, 2022
“Eagles really need a safety,” Eliot Shorr-Parks of 94WIP.com wrote. “Mathieu’s versatility would give [defensive coordinator Jonathan] Gannon a defensive weapon at safety he didn’t have last year.”
#Eagles really need a safety. Mathieu’s versatility would give Gannon a defensive weapon at safety he didn’t have last year. https://t.co/IcUojdOCV4
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) April 7, 2022
Eagles fans are eager to see it happen.
Yes please. https://t.co/m2xJdMy1b5
— Savage (@MSavage901) April 7, 2022
CLOSE THE DEAL, HOWIE https://t.co/xg4AOwhd5N
— Justin Lever ❤️⚾️ (@JustinLever3) April 7, 2022
Saints fans, meanwhile are nervous about the Louisiana native and LSU alum turning them down.
I’m not holding out hope for it bc the saints always find ways to lose these type of situations https://t.co/ssf9XWJgEx
— Vj (@HeDontMissVj) April 7, 2022
I can’t explain how upset i would be if he went to the eagles https://t.co/bIAai90TwD
— Drew (@Slim_Stooge) April 7, 2022
If the Saints botch this very simple layup… https://t.co/kftOooAWvd
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) April 7, 2022
Hey @Saints what are we waiting for..to sign @Mathieu_Era ?? Asking for a friend! Bring him home ASAP. Please do not mess this up. 🙏🏽 https://t.co/kXkayKvdLm
— Aditya 🇮🇳 (@SkAditya97) April 7, 2022
As some fans noted, the Eagles and Saints recently swapped picks in a deal that sends Philadelphia’s 2023 first-round selection to New Orleans. So in addition to improving their secondary, the Eagles would benefit by blocking the Saints from upgrading their defense.
Eagles stealing Tyrann Mathieu from the Saints would be good for so many reasons.
Obviously Mathieu is a great player regardless but also hindering the Saints’ defense when Philadelphia controls their 2023 first-round pick would be wonderful! https://t.co/IPJk95MgIz
— DiBirds (@DiBirdsBlog) April 7, 2022
I think it adds a little more urgency to @Eagles to get him considering we have the @Saints pick next year. We NEED HIM talent wise and it’s icing on the cake if they don’t get any better lol https://t.co/i5oPeIaIwC
— Sikko (@TheRealSikko) April 7, 2022
One of the top available players left on the open market, Mathieu earned his third Pro Bowl nod last season with 76 tackles, three interceptions, and three fumble recoveries for the Kansas City Chiefs. The 29-year-old would make a tremendous addition to either team’s secondary.
The post Another Team Has Entered The Tyrann Mathieu Sweepstakes: Fans React appeared first on The Spun.