Arizona Cardinals

Mathieu, Cardinals 'eager' to strike long-term contract extension

Published Feb. 16, 2016 3:39 p.m. ET

foxsports

Cardinals safety Tyrann Mathieu isn't itching to get out of Arizona.

In fact, Mathieu claims there is mutual interest between him and the organization for a long-term contract extension.

Via Mike Jurecki of FOX Sports 910AM Phoenix:

We're both eager, we're both interested. I want to spend the rest of my career here. The biggest thing is getting my knee right, rehabbing and being ready for 2016.

Mathieu's loyalty to the Cardinals could stem from their decision to overlook the red flags -- from his lack of size to his history of off-the-field offenses -- and select him in the third round of the 2013 NFL draft. The once-troubled safety has since turned into one of Arizona's most productive defenders.

Before tearing his ACL in Week 15 of the 2015 season, Mathieu recorded 89 tackles, 17 defended passes, five interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) and a forced fumble. He still has a year left on his rookie contract, so the Cardinals will surely monitor his rehab and hammer out the terms of a new deal after he completes the comeback.