Report: Jaguars won't bring Rashean Mathis back
The Jacksonville Jaguars will not offer long-time cornerback Rashean Mathis a new contract in 2013, according to the Florida Times-Union. Mathis has been with the team since he was drafted in 2003.
“Believe it or not, I'm at peace with everything,” he told the paper. “Playing in my hometown for 10 years and doing things the right way, I'm blessed to be able to say that. Could I ask for anything more than that being drafted out of Bethune-Cookman? Who would have drawn that up? No painter could have drawn that up.”
Mathis is the franchise leader with 30 interceptions, and the 32-year-old believes he has some gas in the tank.
“I'm not trying to play 15, 16, 17 years … but I do want to try to extend my career,” he said.
A starter since his rookie season in '03, Mathis made his only Pro Bowl appearance in 2006. He missed 11 games over the past two seasons, and the Jags' pass defense was near the bottom of the NFL in 2012.
Jacksonville will set its sights on the lively free-agent cornerback market, as well as a deep draft at that position.
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