Tyrann Mathieu was asked about playing against his old team when Houston visits KC this weekend, and he didn’t shy away from the matchup.
On Thursday, Kansas City Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu was asked about how it feels to be preparing to play his old team this weekend. He responded by saying that he “knows the head coach” and that he expects him to “throw at me early.”
Here’s a full look at Mathieu’s time with the media on Thursday.
#Chiefs Tyrann Mathieu on facing his old team this week in KC. “I kinda know how this HC thinks. I expect for him to throw at me early on and try to get in my head. Looking forward to it.” #Texans pic.twitter.com/S5rEV0xIL5
— Alex Gold (@AlexGold) October 10, 2019
The Honey Badger started all 16 games for the Houston Texans last season, but they declined to re-sign him during the offseason when he became a free agent. The Texans signed Mathieu to a one year deal when he became a free agent following the 2017 season after playing for five years with the Arizona Cardinals, the team that drafted him in the 3rd round of the 2013 draft.
Despite having a excellent season which saw him account for 89 tackles, three sacks, and two interceptions, the Texans let the former LSU standout walk. The Kansas City Chiefs targeted Mathieu early in free agency and ultimately signed him to a 3 year, $42 million contract, making him one of the key centerpieces in their defensive rebuild.
Mathieu has been a bright spot for the Chiefs defense under first year defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. In addition to being a vocal leader, his versatility allows him to line up all over the field and especially, play close to the line to help in run defense. In five games this season, Mathieu has 19 tackles, 1 sack and 1 interception for Kansas City.
While Mathieu downplayed any sort of revenge factor in his comments, he took to Twitter to point out the fact that he’d have a chance to showcase his skills against his old team.
They downplayed me. I ain’t forget
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) October 10, 2019
The Texans visit Kansas City at 12:00 p.m. C.T. on Sunday.