What are the Pros and Cons to the Chicago Bears signing Tyrann Mathieu?

The argument against the Chicago Bears signing Tyrann Mathieu

While the list of positives for Tyrann Mathieu replicates a CVS receipt, there are some negatives when signing the “Honey Badger.”

First off, Mathieu likely needs a good chunk of cash to sign if he’s not staying with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. Would he actually want to come to the retooling Chicago Bears if not for a bigger paycheck than he was getting with the Chiefs?

In 2019, Tyrann Mathieu signed a 3-year deal for $42 million with the Kansas City Chiefs, which was $14 million per year. Assuming he pictures himself as one of the best safeties in the NFL, it’d be safe to say that — barring the want to take less money to play on a different team — Tyrann Mathieu would sign for somewhere in the area of $15 million.

Only Jamal Adams ($17.5 million/year), Harrison Smith ($16 million/year), and Justin Simmons ($15.25 million/year) make more than $15 million; and, it’s fair to say that Mathieu’s in the same range of those safeties.

Now, if the Bears pushed some of that money to next year when Khalil Mack’s cap is off the Chicago Bears’ books, it could work out to be not-that-bad for the Bears.

And with Mathieu nearing 30 years old, the contract length likely won’t be too long.

One of the other negatives to Tyrann Mathieu, similar to Eddie Jackson at the beginning of last season, can be inconsistent on tackling.

Tyrann Mathieu missed tackles 2018-22

• 2018-19: 8 missed tackles, 8.2% missed tackle percentage
• 2019-20: 14 missed tackles, 15.7% missed tackle percentage
• 2020-21: 8 missed tackles, 11.4% missed tackle percentage
• 2021-22: 8 missed tackles, 9.5% missed tackle percentage

Two seasons outside an abysmal 15.7% missed tackles on the season, Mathieu has seemed to clean up his tackling a bit, and if Eberflus is signing off on the deal, he needs to be ready to work.

However, at the end of the day, if the Bears get Tyrann Mathieu this free agency, the Chicago Bears will be much closer to actual NFC contention than likely expected.