Tyrann Mathieu has made a case for the NFL's best safety time and time again. And if he isn't the best, he is one of the best safeties, and definitely deserves to be paid like it. If the Chiefs don't pay the man, someone else will.

The decisions that have been made by the Chiefs as of late, leads me to believe there is a big chance Mathieu isn't back next season.

The Chiefs will need to offer up some big money to the pro-bowler. If they can't come up with the money or cap space room, Kansas City will need a backup plan.

Two backup plans for Chiefs if Mathieu doesn't resign

So obviously plan A is to resign the man himself. Why would the Chiefs not want a guy back on their team that was a vital part of their super bowl win, and the playoff runs since.

Plan B would be to find some notable free-agent safeties that aren't asking for too much money. A few to look at would be:

Marcus Williams

Williams was on the New Orleans Saints last year and was the anchor of their defensive backfield. He finished 2021 with 1,037 snaps, and a Pro Football Focus grade of 80.1 overall, which is the 7th best safety grade according to PFF. He is projected to ask for a four-year 64 million dollar deal, most of which can be back paid in bonuses.

Jessie Bates III

While he played on the team that eliminated the Chiefs last year, Bates would be a great addition to Kansas City. He is younger than Tyrann Mathieu but has already proved himself in this league. Bates finished 2021 with an overall grade of 64, which isn't great but has plenty of room to grow. The 2021 AFC Champion is projected to be franchise tagged, or let go, which is why he is so valuable this offseason.

Quandre Diggs

The former Seattle Seahawks safety was one of the only bright spots in the seahawks defensive backfield. Even this year was not great for him, but it was good enough. He finished with an overall; grade of 70.1, finishing as the 24th highest-graded safety in the NFL. Diggs will be projected to ask for a three-year dear worth 30 million.

Plan C would consist of the Chiefs spending a day one or two draft picks on safety and developing them. The last safety they drafted was Juan Thornhill a few years ago.

Lewis Cine, Georgia

Cine was one of the best safeties in college football last year and one of the best tacklers. It is hard for a guy like Cine to be forgotten when he was on one of the best college defenses of all time. However, he can make a real impact in the NFL.

Jaquan Brisker, Penn State

Coverage is key when it comes to an NFL safety, and Brisker was one of the best in that area at Penn State. With an overall coverage grade of 89.9 according to PFF. Brisker is ranked as the 48th overall prospect in this year's draft and could be available in the second round.

Kerby Joseph, Illinois

Joseph is a ball-hawk, and there is no way around that. His 6'8" wingspan helped him get five interceptions last season, along with several pass deflections. If the Chiefs want someone who can play a variety of schemes, Joseph would be a great fit.

The Chiefs can't go wrong with any of these choices, and they will likely make the right one. With how the front office has been, fans should be confident that they are going to be fine next year.

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