Arizona Cardinals safety Tyrann Mathieu made the trip to Carolina to support his teammates in the NFC Championship game and will help support his team in any way he can. Mathieu had a breakout season in 2015, and the talented safety's future contract is a priority for Cardinals general manager Steve Keim, according to NFL reporter Ian Rapoport.
Mathieu recorded 89 combined tackles, a sack and five intereceptions before tearing his ACL in late December. The third round draft pick has turned into one of Arizona's key playmakers on defense and has been a strong fit on Bruce Arians' team.
Mathieu's ACL tear was the second in his short NFL career, but the Cardinals are reportedly not concern with that, as he is reportedly expected to become one of the highest-paid safeties in the league. Coming out of college, there were plenty of off-field questions surrounding the talented defensive playmaker, but since entering the league, Mathieu has proven he has matured and has put football and his team first.
Mathieu turns 24 years old this offseason and is coming off his best year since entering the NFL. The Cardinals safety still has one year left on his current deal, but the team reportedly wants to lock him up with a long-term contract this offseason. The Cardinals already have talented cornerback Patrick Peterson under contract though the 2020 season, and with Mathieu expected to sign a long-term contract in Arizona, the Cardinals defense should continue to dominate for the foreseeable future.
