No one needs to worry about a Tyrann Mathieu extension (including Tyrann Mathieu)

Earlier this weekend, a bit of drama arose based on the interpretation of a tweet that was deleted from the account of Tyrann Mathieu. The K.C. Chiefs star safety apparently replied to a Tweet from our own Josh Fann asking when a long-term contract extension was going to get done. Mathieu responded with “Probably not. Been here before. All good.”

https://twitter.com/RealBirdLawyer/status/1393908342444019712

When reading the above exchange, you can understand the dust-up. After all, it seemed that a future contract extension was just a matter of time this offseason. Mathieu is a leader of men and a game-altering force in the secondary. The Chiefs have sang his praises since signing him two years ago, and both sides have discussed a longing to make something happen.

To date, the Chiefs and Mathieu have sounded like a couple likely to get married sometime soon. They both love each other. It’s only a matter of time. They want to be together forever. Sounds romantic, right? Well then, what’s behind the needle scrape of a tweet that suddenly cast a shadow of doubt over the status of their relationship?

If you want to read too much into what someone posts on a Tweet in mid-May, it’s possible to craft some drama around this one episode. In the short, this is not good and it reads just like it. It reads as if Mathieu is upset, that the team is somehow not living up to his expectations this offseason thus far, that something is amiss.

But remember, previous negotiations have gone just like this, even as recently as the Chris Jones extension that was signed last summer. That relationship featured a star defender over whom the front office and coaching staff said all the right things. Jones, who is also a very emotional player, also talked openly about wanting to stay in Kansas City for the long term. But don’t forget this tweet which had Chiefs Kingdom wondering what was wrong.

It was only a few months later that Jones was gearing up to cash checks much, much larger than what he was already accustomed to.

Here’s the truth about Tyrann Mathieu and the Kansas City Chiefs: the only thing that makes sense here is a long-term contract agreement. It’s not just what is likely or what both sides would prefer. It’s not about the fans and it’s not about the player. From all angles, it’s literally the only move.

If this were about, say, Anthony Hitchens, there would be reason for worry. After all, the Chiefs just invested consecutive picks in the second round in new linebackers. There’s a trajectory of roster planning that makes sense there and the finances involved also point to future changes. At safety, it’s another world. Juan Thornhill is the only young investment at the position and he’s hoping to rebound after a year clearly affected by recovery from a torn ACL. Dan Sorensen is back for another season and even that was a bit of a surprise. Mathieu is by far the best talent the Chiefs have there and he’s in his prime.

Mathieu isn’t just an All-Pro performer. He also elevated the entire defense with his arrival, and his coaches rave about his presence in the defensive backfield. He’s the ignition that makes Steve Spagnuolo’s defense work in the secondary and with another year of experience, he’s only going to get better with chemistry and scheme familiarity.

Finally, for the Chiefs to go back on a contract extension now would jeopardize a lot of trust and credibility earned by this front office. Brett Veach and his staff clearly has the respect of the players, as even veterans released this offseason like Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz have nothing but positive things to say about their entire tenures in K.C.—including the way they left. Each player tipped his hat to the “NFL is a business” line and left on good terms. That’s not easy to do unless your front office is known for their professionalism and honest communication.

Mathieu wants to stay in K.C. and the Chiefs want him here. He’s entering a contract year, so it’ll be important to set that drama aside, and the team has already stated something will get done in time. Perhaps Mathieu was hoping the timing would have given him a dotted line upon which to sign by now. Perhaps there was a hiccup in the communication somewhere. Who knows? But these sorts of doubts have creeped in before only to fade in the bigger picture, and the grand perspective here says this marriage is happening.

No one needs to worry about a Tyrann Mathieu extension, including Tyrann Mathieu.