ESPN’s Clayton: Cardinals, Mathieu no closer to new deal

Arizona Cardinals’ defensive back Tyrann Mathieu entered the offseason hoping for two things: full recovery from his torn ACL and a new contract.

It seems Mathieu may be closer to suiting up than inking a new deal.

“Mathieu says ‘sure I’m one of the top defensive players in the league and I want to be paid accordingly‘, so to be paid as one of the top defensive back he’s probably asking for about $13 or $14 million,” ESPN NFL Insider John Clayton told Doug and Wolf on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Friday. “I’m sure the team will go over $10 million. Harrison Smith ended up getting $10.25 million and that’s only $250,000, as a safety, over what Earl Thomas got.

“My guess is, I have no doubt the Cardinals will offer more than $10 million, but I don’t think they’re close to the number Mathieu is asking for.”

Rumors started circulating on May 16 regarding Mathieu’s possible contract extension when NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported that Mathieu and the Cardinals were deep in negotiations. ‘The Honey Badger’ himself stated he felt they were close on reaching a deal.

Nearly a month later, no new developments have surfaced.

“I get the feeling its kind of went into a later state with what happened with Earl Thomas in Seattle,” Clayton added. “Thomas was doing the same thing. They put a deadline on him in May of that year in 2013 and he ended up being the highest-paid safety.”

Mathieu is on the final year of his four-year, $3.05 million rookie contract.