In a journey that began under the bright lights at LSU and then under Patrick Peterson’s mentorship, Tyrann Mathieu clawed his way into NFL stardom, from the Cardinals to the Texans and as a key defender for the Super Bowl-winning Chiefs. Nicknamed “Honey Badger” for his relentless style, he made plays, earned All-Pro honors, and cemented a legacy that transcended statistics. His career was defined by fearless leadership and unwavering grit—classic Mathieu traits.

Along the way, Mathieu’s story came full circle in New Orleans—his hometown—where he donned the Saints‘ jersey and closed the circle. Over 12 seasons, he compiled 36 receptions, three Pro Bowls, three First-Team All-Pro nods, and earned a spot on the NFL’s 2010s All-Decade team. Grateful and reflective, he thanked coaches, teammates, and fans as he “close this chapter of my life and officially retire from the game that’s shaped me in every way,” making his final “homecoming” retirement feel like a poetic bookend to a remarkable career.

But even with the Saints now moving forward without him in camp, one question quietly lingers in the background. If the right team calls… would the Honey Badger still bite? Mathieu recently sat down on Up & Adams Show, where Kay Adams asked, “How retired are you?” Mathieu laughed at first and then said, “I mean, I’m retired. I’m retired.” But then he pivoted.

“So, and obviously, you know, I had that conversation, you know, somebody close to me, right?” He added. “It’s like, you know, I don’t think they really believe me, right? Because, you know, a couple days ago, we were just talking about, you know, how MJ kind of took a couple years off and, you know, I did it. And so, you know, I think that’s always like, you know, a possibility, you know, I don’t want to ever kind of rule anything out, but I think as of right now, you know, what my spirit is mentally where I’m at.”

It’s like flipping back to a chapter we’ve already read—but this one ends with a comma, not a period. For now, Tyrann Mathieu wants to stay retired. But let’s face it—retirement in the NFL is rarely a closed door. Tom Brady did it, and so did Rob Gronkowski, only to return to hoist a Lombardi. That kind of return? It’s not just thrilling—it’s legendary. It’s the stuff that etches your name into the football’s forever.

The Chiefs’ Kingdom would love to see Mathieu on the gridiron, and so will the Saints’ faithful. But for the time being, this chapter may officially pause, but the book still breathes. We’ll see if Mathieu decides to return to the NFL. For now, he’s getting all the love he deserves from his former teammate and the former team.

Congratulations poured in for Tyrann Mathieu from Patrick Mahomes

A career spanning 12 seasons in the NFL, Tyrann Mathieu, has earned plenty of accolades. We’re talking about 3 Pro Bowl nods, 3 First-Team All-Pro, a Second-Team All-Pro, NFL 2010s All-Decade Team, along with over 800 career tackles and 11.0 sacks. And yes, he also earned a Super Bowl ring with the Chiefs. When Patrick Mahomes and his crew hoisted the Lombardi in the 2019 season, the quarterback had plenty of help from the 33-year-old Chiefs legend.

Now that he has hung up his cleats, Mahomes used his official ‘X’ handle to congratulate his former teammate. “Congrats to my Man! @Mathieu_Era one of the best to ever do it!” He wrote. Moments after, the Chiefs’ official Instagram page penned down an appreciation note for Mathieu, calling him one of a kind. “One of a kind! Congratulations on your well-earned retirement, Honey Badger 🏆,” they wrote.

After spending three seasons in KC, the former safety packed his bags to leave for his hometown. There, Mathieu donned the Saints’ jersey and recorded career career-high 91 tackles in his first season with the Saints. He then went on to spend a couple of more seasons in New Orleans before informing the front office that he’d be retiring just one day before the Saints kicked off their training camp.

Tyrann Mathieu now turns the page to his next chapter. What’s next? Could be on the sidelines, behind a mic, launching a podcast, or mentoring the next generation. Then again… who’s to say the cleats stay hung up for good? A comeback? A long shot, maybe. But with the Honey Badger, you never really know.