The New Orleans Saints on Wednesday introduced the newest member of their defensive secondary and the return of native son Tyrann Mathieu.
Mathieu signed a three-year contract worth $33 million earlier in the week.
“This is the place I’ve always wanted to be,” Mathieu said during a press conference.
Mathieu, who was born and raised in New Orleans, visited with the Saints in early April.
“The Saints were the only visit that I went on. From the get-go I knew where I wanted to be,” he said.
The three-time All-Pro, who turns 30 on May 13, started 16 games for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2021 and posted 76 tackles, three interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), three fumble recoveries and one sack.
A third-round pick out of LSU in 2013, Mathieu has 26 interceptions (three pick-sixes) and 10 sacks in 129 contests (120 starts) with the Arizona Cardinals (2013-17), Houston Texans (2018) and Chiefs. He won Super Bowl LIV in his first season with Kansas City.
The Saints released two defensive players Tuesday, defensive end Jalen Dalton and cornerback KeiVarae Russell.