Tyrann Mathieu 'hoping it works out' to remain with Chiefs for 2022: 'I don't have control over that'

The All-Pro safety would like to stay right where he is

Tyrann Mathieu can now only watch and wait. The veteran safety found himself on the losing end of the AFC Championship matchup against Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals, and as the Kansas City Chiefs lick their wounds from a game they once led 21-3 before losing 27-24 in overtime, they must now also shift their focus to the offseason -- one that includes working to determine which looming free agents they'll try and retain. Mathieu would love to be one of those chosen few, having now played the final game of a three-year contract.

Set to become an unrestricted free agent in March, the three-time All-Pro safety says he'd like to stay put in Kansas City.

"I hope so," he said, via The Kansas City Star. "Ever since I came here, I've just tried to be the right kind of teammate. I've tried to play my part. And obviously it's always that feeling that you could make more plays for your team, but I'm hoping it works out."

Mathieu readily acknowledges, however, that it takes two to tango, but once the 2021 season began, the Chiefs weren't interested in having contract discussions until the season eventually came to an end -- as noted by Chiefs chairman and CEO Clark Hunt in November. Hunt made it clear he'd like to work out a new deal with Mathieu, but on the team's timing. 

"Those plans haven't changed at all," Hunt said two months ago. "It was something that we discussed with Tyrann and his representative in the offseason before we started playing regular-season games. But really, once we got in the season, it's really best for both parties to wait for the end of the year."

And while Mathieu's intentions are clear, he can only hope the Chiefs haven't changed their mind and, if not, that they approach him with a deal that is commensurate to what he has meant to the defense in Kansas City since joining them in 2019. Things didn't go as planned against the Bengals, but it was another strong season for Mathieu, who earned his third Pro Bowl honor in 2021.

"I don't have any control over [it]," said Mathieu. "I feel like everything that was in my control, I tried my best to handle it and to do it with a smile. I love this team, I love this locker room. It's a lot of coaches that I have great relationships with, so I'm hoping, yeah."