Mathieu 'heartbroken' after Chiefs didn't offer him new contract

Playing for a team other than the Kansas City Chiefs wasn't part of Tyrann Mathieu's 2022 plans.

The star safety's contract with Kansas City expired at the end of the 2021 season, and the Chiefs decided to go in a different direction rather than offer him a new deal.

"Bro, I was depressed," said Mathieu, according to Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star. "Heartbroken. Heart, broken.

"I could not understand it. I could not, man."

Mathieu, who turns 30 in May, was one of the cornerstones of K.C.'s defense over the last three seasons. The three-time Pro Bowler, who helped the Chiefs win Super Bowl LIV, amassed 213 tackles, 27 pass breakups, and 13 interceptions across 47 regular-season appearances for the team.

The Chiefs went after free agent Justin Reid to replace Mathieu this offseason and signed the former Houston Texans defensive back to a three-year, $31.5-million deal that includes $20 million guaranteed.

"To be honest, if they would've offered me Justin Reid's deal, obviously I would've tried to negotiate, but if that's where they drew their line in the sand, I probably would've took it," Mathieu said.

He added: "Agents are going to do their thing, but at the end of the day, it's the player's decision whether to sign it or not."

Mathieu joined Kansas City as a free agent in 2019 on a three-year, $42-million contract and helped the club lift the Lombardi Trophy that season.

The LSU product has yet to find a new team this offseason, though he recently met with the New Orleans Saints and Philadelphia Eagles.