When you think of toughness, resilience, and faith under fire, few players embodied it quite like Tyrann “Honey Badger” Mathieu.
After a 10‑year NFL career that defied the odds, the Honey Badger has officially announced his retirement.
More than just a playmaker on the field, Mathieu showed what it looks like to lead teams with heart, overcome adversity, and set up your family and future generations up for life financially.
This is APSM’s breakdown of his career, net worth, and the lessons every young man can take from his journey.
Career Stats & Highlights
- Years Active: 2013–2024
- Teams:
- Arizona Cardinals (2013–2017)
- Houston Texans (2018)
- Kansas City Chiefs (2019–2021)
- New Orleans Saints (2022–2024)
- Games Played: 161
- Tackles: 665
- Interceptions: 32
- Sacks: 11
- Forced Fumbles: 7
- Defensive TDs: 4
🏆Accolades
- Super Bowl LIV Champion (Chiefs)
- 3× First-Team All-Pro
- 3× Pro Bowler
- 2019 NFL All-Decade Team
- 2023 Bart Starr Award (character, leadership, faith)
💰Career Earnings & Net Worth
Rookie Deal & Breakthrough
Drafted by Arizona in the 3rd round (2013), Mathieu signed a 4‑year, $3.05M deal with the Cardinals.
One could say this was modest by today’s standards, but life‑changing for a young man overcoming his LSU dismissal & personal struggles.
Veteran Paydays
In 2016, he signed a 5‑year, $62.5M extension with Arizona, briefly becoming one of the highest‑paid safeties in NFL history.
After short stints in Houston & Kansas City, he cashed in again with a 3‑year, $33M deal in New Orleans where he will be hanging them up at.
Estimated Career Earnings
~$85M before taxes & fees. Factoring taxes, agent fees (~3%), and lifestyle spending, APSM estimates his net worth at retirement to likely be in the range of $20M–$25M net.
🙏Faith, Family & Leadership
Mathieu has spoken openly about his faith keeping him grounded, helping him overcome early troubles & keeping his priorities straight.
He invested heavily in his family and generational future, buying homes for loved ones and quietly supporting a wide range of charities & youth programs throughout his career.
📈Financial Literacy Takeaways
✅ Early success doesn’t guarantee long‑term wealth. His first contract was just a foundation that he chose to invest with rather than spend.
✅ Restructuring contracts & staying healthy allowed him to keep earning into his 30s, significantly multiplying his long-term wealth potential and ability to adapt his financial habits.
✅ Living a modest lifestyle compared to his peers has helped him preserve wealth even as his income slowed towards the end.
🕊️The Legacy
Tyrann Mathieu showed that no matter how you start: dismissed from college, undersized, doubted.
Maintaining your faith, grit, and discipline can change your life. He leaves the NFL as a champion, both on and off the field.
Want the Full Wealth & Risk Blueprint?
The APSM 7×7 Bundle Includes both of APSM’s core financial literacy reports:
- 7 Primary Ways Athletes Build Generational Wealth
- 7 Ways Athletes Go Broke
You’ll Get:
- The complete path to building long-term net worth
- The full map of every mistake that destroys wealth
- Side-by-side models showing how wealth either compounds, or collapses
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It’s the full APSM wealth foundation in one bundle.
🔗Next Reads
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- Garrett Wilson’s $130 Million Contract with the New York Jets
- Garrett Wilson’s $130M Contract
- The Largest NFL Contracts From 2015-2025
- How NFL Signing Bonuses are Structured
Credits
Written by: Aidan Anderson
Research and Analysis: Apostle Sports Media LLC
Sources: NFL.com, NFLPA.com, ESPN, ProFootballTalk, Yahoo Sports, CBS Sports, Associated Press, APSM proprietary analysis.
Featured Image: Public Domain / Wiki Commons
Disclaimer: This article contains general financial information for educational purposes and does not constitute as professional advice.
“‘But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside.”
– Job 23:10-11
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