The New Orleans Saints have started off their training camp slate with a bombshell: Tyrann Mathieu has retired from the NFL.
The decision was announced Tuesday afternoon, a day ahead of the team's first practice of camp.
“A little surprised, but we had some advanced notice and just have so much respect for Tyrann and what he’s accomplished," Saints GM Mickey Loomis said. "He’s a legendary Louisiana player, a legendary NFL player. … I just wish him all the best."
Loomis added that the decision was reached in the weeks leading up to camp.
Mathieu, a New Orleans native and former LSU star, retires after 12 NFL seasons. During his illustrious career he rolled up 36 interceptions, a total that was No. 1 among active players heading into this season. After off-the-field issues, Mathieu slipped to the third round of the 2013 draft before he landed with the Arizona Cardinals. He went on to play a season with the Texans before signing on with the Chiefs for a 3-year run that included multiple Super Bowl appearances and one title.
"I hope I made you proud out there," Mathieu said in the post announcing his decision. "This isn't goodbye -- it's just the next chapter."
In his three seasons with New Orleans, Mathieu started in all 51 possible games while 228 tackles and 10 interceptions.
For the Saints, the surprise retirement marks the team's second of the offseason after quarterback Derek Carr called it a career due to shoulder injuries. The Saints will have major questions to answer in a secondary that is now headlined by another Louisiana native in Justin Reid, whom the team signed this offseason after his own run with the Chiefs that included three Super Bowl appearances and a pair of titles.
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