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NFL, American Football Herren, USA Las Vegas Raiders at New Orleans Saints Dec 29, 2024 New Orleans, Louisiana, USA New Orleans Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu 32 reacts to a play against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half at Caesars Superdome. New Orleans Caesars Superdome Louisiana USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xStephenxLewx 20241229_tcs_la1_353

via Imago
NFL, American Football Herren, USA Las Vegas Raiders at New Orleans Saints Dec 29, 2024 New Orleans, Louisiana, USA New Orleans Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu 32 reacts to a play against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half at Caesars Superdome. New Orleans Caesars Superdome Louisiana USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xStephenxLewx 20241229_tcs_la1_353
“From my first snap in college to my final NFL play, this journey has been a blessing. Football gave me purpose and unforgettable memories.” With these words, Tyrann Mathieu captured the essence of his journey as he stepped away from the sport in July 2025. Known as the “Honey Badger,” Mathieu built a career defined by grit, resilience, and impact both on and off the field. His retirement not only marked the end of an era in the NFL but also sparked curiosity about his financial legacy.
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To understand Mathieu’s wealth, it’s important to trace the contracts, salaries, and endorsements that shaped his career earnings. Let’s break it down.
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What is Tyrann Mathieu’s Net Worth?
Tyrann Mathieu’s net worth is estimated at $30 million in 2025, according to Reality Tea. Moreover, his income comes from NFL contracts, signing bonuses, endorsements, and smart financial moves. Mathieu returned to his hometown, signing a three-year deal with the Saints in 2022. The deal was worth $33 million, including $18 million guaranteed. At the time, he said, “This was the place I’ve always wanted to be. And I think most people around me, they wanted that, too.”
Before retiring in 2024, he extended his stay with a two-year, $13.75 million deal, averaging $6.875 million per year. Here’s a breakdown of his final contracts:
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Year | Team | Contract Value | Guaranteed |
2022 | New Orleans Saints | $33 million | $18 million |
2024 | New Orleans Saints | $13.75 million | $7.5 million |
Therefore, this extension secured his role as a veteran leader while balancing cap value for the Saints. Next, here’s how that contract translated into annual paychecks.
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What is his salary and career earnings?
By the 2024 season, Tyrann Mathieu’s salary reflected his extension. His deal averaged $6.875 million annually, but his actual cash payout for the season was $6.5 million, per Spotrac and Over the Cap. Even in the later stages of his career, Mathieu continued to command strong on-field value. Over his NFL career, Mathieu earned approximately $97.36 million, with total guarantees reported around $82,867,187, according to Over the Cap.
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Did Tyrann Mathieu's career prove that grit and resilience can outweigh talent in the NFL?
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Here’s the breakdown of his career earnings by team:
Team | Years | Salary | APY |
Cardinals | 2013-2017 | $23,856,853 | $4,771,371 |
Texans | 2018 | $7,000,000 | $7,000,000 |
Chiefs | 2019-2021 | $42,000,000 | $14,000,000 |
Saints | 2022-2024 | $24,500,000 | $8,166,667 |
Total | $97,356,853 | $33,938,038 |
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Consequently, his career earnings underscore his place among the NFL’s most well-compensated safeties.
A look at Tyrann Mathieu’s college and professional career
At LSU, Mathieu became a star. His fearless style earned him the nickname “Honey Badger” and even made him a Heisman finalist in 2011. Though his college career ended early, the Arizona Cardinals took a chance on him in 2013. From there, he delivered. Mathieu went on to play for the Cardinals, Texans, Chiefs, and Saints. In the process, Mathieu made three Pro Bowls, earned First-Team All-Pro honors, and celebrated a Super Bowl LIV victory with Kansas City.
In his retirement message, Mathieu wrote: “Football gave me purpose, discipline, and memories that will stay with me forever. But more than anything, it gave me a community.” His career highlights prove just that. Besides his play on the field, Mathieu also became a powerful brand off it.
Tyrann Mathieu’s brand endorsements
Away from football, Tyrann Mathieu partnered with companies like Nike, BodyArmor, and local New Orleans businesses. He also collaborated with Old Spice and was a face of the NFL’s My Cause My Cleats campaign. His deals often reflected his values and his connection to the community. For example, Nike campaigns leaned on his underdog story, while BodyArmor highlighted his focus on health and fitness. He also supported youth programs and education in New Orleans, showing that his brand wasn’t only about profit but about impact.
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As The PR Net noted, for athletes like Mathieu, “priority has always been aligning with partners that reflect his purpose-driven ethos.” Even in retirement, his presence in the business and community space remains strong. Ultimately, Tyrann Mathieu’s career is more than stats and paychecks. It’s the journey of a player who defied odds, earned respect, and secured lasting wealth. From LSU’s “Honey Badger” to a Super Bowl champion and hometown hero, his path shows resilience at every step.
To conclude, Tyrann Mathieu’s retirement doesn’t close the book; it simply begins a new chapter. His impact on the field may be over, but his financial legacy and influence continue to roar well beyond football.
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"Did Tyrann Mathieu's career prove that grit and resilience can outweigh talent in the NFL?"