Who is the top free agent safety target for the Chiefs?

By: Jake Rajala

The secret is out: Tyrann Mathieu, also known as the honey badger, will test the free-agent market. The legendary LSU defender and Super Bowl LVI champion could exit the Chiefs this offseason. The Honey Badger has been phenomenal throughout his career. Here is a look at how magical he’s been in his imposing NFL tenure:

• Three-time Pro Bowler
• Three-time All-Pro
• 26 career interceptions
• 10 career sacks
• 41 career tackles for loss

It’s clear that the Honey Badger is a versatile, fearless defender and he won’t be easy to replace if he leaves. Nonetheless, the Chiefs will always have a “next man up” mentality. So, if the Chiefs potentially look to add a quality safety to in free agency to fill in the shoes of Mathieu, who could they sign? Well, here are a few great options.

Marcus Williams

The cap-trapped Saints need to sign Jameis Winston and they may potentially bring back Terron Armstead (free agent). It will be hard for the Saints to outbid other teams for Williams, particularly teams that boast more cap space and success. Williams was second team All-Pro by Pro Football Focus and I believe he is just entering the prime of his career.

Williams may not only be a good replacement for the Honey Badger, but he is significantly younger than Matheiu. Williams is four years younger than Matheiu, which is perfect for the dangerous, somewhat young Chiefs team.

Devin McCourty

Devin McCourty might seem insanely old at this point in his career, but he’s still a ball-hawk at 34 years old. He notched four interceptions in 2021 and three picks in 2020.

He will likely want to play for a contender to finish his career and there might not be a better option than the Chiefs. We witnessed Eric Weddle find gold with the LA Rams and now it might be time for McCourty to win another ring with Patrick Mahomes.

Justin Reid

The Texans safety Justin Reid might be one of the biggest diamond in the roughs in the entire free agency pool. Reid has tremendous athletic ability and he’s 25 years old, but he’s entering free agency at a rough point in his career. He had flashes last season, but he also alstruggled at times in 2021 in open space and against the deep pass. He was also healthy scratch for the game against the Jets after getting in an argument with a coach.

He still was productive in the first two season in the league (5 combined ints and 160+ combined tackles) and he will look to turn his career around with a stronger culture and scheme. It may be wise for Andy Reid to ink Reid on a one-year prove-it deal.