Signing Tyrann Mathieu would be short-sighted move for Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers have some rebuilding to do, and I don’t think Tyrann Mathieu makes as much sense as fans like to believe he does.

Let me start by saying that I am a Tyrann Mathieu fan. All the way back in the 2013 NFL Draft, I wanted the Steelers to go after Mathieu in each of the first two rounds before the Arizona Cardinals eventually stole him in round three.

Despite his small size, pedestrian athletic testing, and off-field concerns, it was clear to see the instincts and ball skills Mathieu possessed that could make him a generational talent in the secondary. It only took him three years to earn the first of his two First-Team All-Pro honors.

Last year, Mathieu made a Pro Bowl appearance (the third of his NFL career), but I think his play took a slight dip during the 2021 season. Now one of the better safeties in the league is sitting in free agency waiting for the right situation.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of several teams that have been linked to Tyrann Mathieu. With former first-round pick Terrell Edmunds still not signed, the door is open for Mathieu, and fans can’t seem to stop talking about him.

While Mathieu is a talented, flashy player who could help the Steelers in the present, signing him to a lucrative contract would be a bit of a short-sighted move, in my mind.

Steelers need to think “big picture”

I have very little doubt that Mathieu still has a few good years left in the tank. However, the former All-Pro safety turns 30 years old shortly after the 2022 NFL Draft. In addition, Mathieu won’t come cheap (thanks to his reputation).

To be honest, this seems like a move that is much more suited for a team with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations over the next two seasons. Perhaps a team like the Bengals, Cowboys, or Chargers — each with a franchise QB in place and each with more current salary cap space than the Steelers.

While signing with Pittsburgh would help sure up the secondary, the Steelers biggest issues in 2021 were having one of the league’s most stagnant offenses as well as the worst rush defense in the NFL.

The biggest reason signing Tyrann Mathieu would be a short-sighted move for Pittsburgh is because I simply don’t think they will legitimately be able to compete for a Super Bowl title until they find their next franchise quarterback. Mitch Trubisky (or any rookie they draft for that matter) can’t even be expected to play at an average starting level this year.

By the time the Steelers do have a franchise quarterback ready to compete, Mathieu may be retired or perhaps just a shade of his former self.

I know that Tyrann Mathieu would add some flare to this defense, but tying great money into an old safety might not be the way to go for a team that should be looking to rebuild their roster and find more long-term, cornerstone players. If he can help the Steelers win right away, then great. But if he doesn’t get us anywhere close to a Super Bowl appearance, I don’t really see the point.