Cardinals release Mathieu after reportedly refusing to take pay cut

The Honey Badger is loose.

The Arizona Cardinals released defensive back Tyrann Mathieu on Wednesday.

Mathieu was informed of the decision after he refused to take a pay cut, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports

Mathieu's cap hit was set to be $14.1 million for each of the next three seasons after signing a five-year, $62.5-million contract in 2016. Releasing him creates $9.3 million in dead cap money for 2018, according to Spotrac.

"While we all understand this is a part of the business, that certainly doesn’t make it any easier. We all wish Tyrann nothing but continued success in his career and beyond," general manager Steve Keim said, according to Mike Jurecki of Arizona Sports Station 98.7 FM.

Mathieu, 25, was named to the Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro in 2015, when he recorded 89 combined tackles, five interceptions, a forced fumble, 17 passes defensed, and one touchdown in 14 games.

He recorded 78 combined tackles with one forced fumble, two interceptions, and seven passes defensed in 16 games last season.

He'll now enter the free-agent pool as the top defensive back.