The Baltimore Ravens have been linked to a few free agents this offseason, some more controversial than others, but safety Tyrann Mathieu could be the team’s best potential signing.
After the Kansas City Chiefs’ disappointing exit from the playoffs, players may be rethinking their futures with the team. While Mathieu hasn’t publicly said he plans on leaving, he hasn’t finalized a contract extension with Kansas City, either.
The Chiefs star is set to enter free agency in 2022, and he likely already has a long list of suitors.
Count the Ravens as one of them — the defense, that is. Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen and defensive lineman Calais Campbell have both expressed their support in potentially bringing on Mathieu for next season.
https://twitter.com/Patrickqueen_/status/1489084650274402307
Speak it into existence https://t.co/rGGP7VyMnI
— Calais Campbell (@CalaisCampbell) February 3, 2022
The Ravens reportedly showed interest in Mathieu back in 2019, but the team signed Earl Thomas III instead, who earned a Pro Bowl in his first year in Baltimore but was released shortly after.
Now, Baltimore has another shot at bidding for Mathieu and adding a seasoned ballhawk to the backfield.
The Ravens should keep an eye on Tyrann Mathieu’s status for 2022
The ninth-year safety is coming off his second Pro Bowl season with the Chiefs, starting 16 games and recording 76 tackles and three interceptions.
The Ravens faced Mathieu in Week 2 of last season, during which Mathieu intercepted a Lamar Jackson pass and returned it for a touchdown and later picked off another crucial pass inside the Chiefs’ 30-yard line.
Mathieu’s playmaking abilities appeal to all teams in need of a durable and productive safety, and having a player like him who can turn the tides of a game will buoy the Ravens’ playoff hopes for 2022.
The Ravens’ secondary struggled with injuries all last season, but the unit should get a boost from a healthy Marcus Peters and Anthony Averett as well as the continued growth of Chuck Clark and Geno Stone, among others.
Mathieu could also be a significant upgrade over DeShon Elliott, should Elliott opt to leave the team in free agency.
Queen and Campbell’s attempts to recruit Tyrann Mathieu are in good taste, but they can only do so much. The star safety and the Chiefs may yet reach a mutual agreement this offseason, and the Ravens may have to look elsewhere for secondary improvements.