ARIZONA CARDINALS

Former Cardinals DB Tyrann Mathieu signs with Texans

Mar 16, 2018, 7:55 PM | Updated: 9:03 pm

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Trent Taylor (81) is hit by Arizona Cardinals free safety Tyrann ...

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Trent Taylor (81) is hit by Arizona Cardinals free safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Former Arizona Cardinals safety Tyrann Mathieu has signed a one-year deal with the Houston Texans.

Mathieu, 25, was released by the Cardinals Wednesday after he turned down a pay cut.

After being selected by Arizona in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft, Mathieu played his first five seasons with the Cardinals. He was a First Team All-Pro and made the Pro Bowl in 2015.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Mathieu will be making $7 million in 2018.

Mathieu signed a five-year contract extension in 2016 worth a total of $62.5 million. The defensive back was due to make $5.75 million in base salary for 2018 but had $8 million of his 2019 salary guaranteed if he was on the Cardinals by March 14. He also had a $5 million roster bonus owed on March 16, per Spotrac.com.

Mathieu was known as one of the best defensive playmakers in the league, but his ability to change games has been diminished since he had his second ACL tear in December 2015.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Zach Wilson, Jets quarterback...

Associated Press

Broncos trade for Jets’ Zach Wilson, could remain in QB market during 2024 NFL Draft

Zach Wilson was expected to be the face of the franchise for the New York Jets. Now he's been traded to the Denver Broncos.

15 hours ago

Arizona Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort...

Arizona Sports

Report: Cardinals GM told rivals he won’t consider trading draft pick until on the clock

Arizona Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort reportedly told rival executives he won't agree to a trade before he's on the clock in the NFL Draft.

20 hours ago

Monti Ossenfort speaks at the NFL Combine...

Tyler Drake

NFL mock draft tracker: What will the Cardinals do with the No. 4 pick?

A look at the players being mocked to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 4 overall in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

20 hours ago

Monti Ossenfort...

Arizona Sports

Lance Zierlein: If Cardinals trade No. 4 pick, expect them to move back up

It is become popular in mock drafts for the Cardinals move off the No. 4 pick, which is where longtime NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein landed.

2 days ago

Arizona Cardinals fans...

Arizona Sports

Did the Chargers GM tease a Cardinals draft-day trade?

The Cardinals are not looking for a quarterback, but Chargers GM Joe Horitz said his team could have its pick of the top non-QB in the draft.

3 days ago

Arizona Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort talks to reporters...

Tyler Drake

Monti Ossenfort keeping trade options open as Cardinals’ draft board nears completion

The Arizona Cardinals have about 95% of their draft board completed about a week out from the NFL Draft and continue to look at all avenues.

5 days ago

Former Cardinals DB Tyrann Mathieu signs with Texans