Patrick Mahomes discusses the impact Saints S Tyrann Mathieu had on him while teammates in Kansas City
The Kansas City Chiefs are hosting the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football this week, which, of course, puts safety Tyrann Mathieu on everyone's mind. Mathieu signed with the Saints in 2022 following a three-year run in Kansas City. He was a crucial part of a huge defensive rebuild for the Chiefs in 2019, […]
The Kansas City Chiefs are hosting the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football this week, which, of course, puts safety Tyrann Mathieu on everyone's mind.
Mathieu signed with the Saints in 2022 following a three-year run in Kansas City. He was a crucial part of a huge defensive rebuild for the Chiefs in 2019, which included bringing in defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. Mathieu anchored the secondary, being named as an All-Pro and a Pro Bowler twice. He also helped the Chiefs win their first championship in 50 years with their victory in Super Bowl LIV.
Mathieu helped set a standard and a culture that still exists with the team today. When he arrived in K.C., Patrick Mahomes was entering just his second season as the starting quarterback. Although he had just won MVP the year before, Mahomes was still a young player trying to establish his identity as a leader. While speaking to reporters on Thursday, Mahomes credited Mathieu for his help with that.
"I think just me being a young player, especially when he got here, just seeing that type of leader, I think was something that I'll forever remember," Mahomes said. "The way he inspired guys, the the energy that he played with. I mean, obviously he's a great football player. Everybody can see that, but truly a great leader, one of the best leaders I've ever been around. And he pushed to get the best out of everybody every single day. And he treated practice like games. He tried to get better every single day. And that's something that has helped me become who I am. And so, he's great football player, man. I'm hoping that he gets out there, not for me and my sake, because, I mean, he's a great football player, always around the ball, but I think Kansas City getting to see him come back and be on that field again will be special for the city."
Mahomes not only learned leadership qualities from Mathieu, but how to properly prepare and how to go about day-to-day business in the NFL.
"You sit there and watch those guys," Mahomes said. "I watched him when he was in college, and he dominated college football. And then, got into the NFL and all the great plays that he has made, and then being able to see him on a day-to-day basis is when you want to see those guys that are the top of the top, and how they prepare every single day. And he was one of those guys that you knew why he was great when you saw him practice, and how he went about his business."
Few players leave a lasting impact the way Mathieu did in just three short years. Not only has he helped many others along the way, but Mathieu is still playing at a high level in his 12th season and is making a case for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, Mathieu is pretty banged up coming into this week's matchup and is in jeopardy of not playing.
It would be a shame not to see him on GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium for what could be the final time. Another Saints defender who's a former Chief, linebacker Willie Gay, could also miss this game with a hand injury. However, we will see yet another former Chief turned Saint, defensive tackle Khalen Saunders, take the field.
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