Former New York Giants Landon Collins’ new contract with Washington sets up a preview of what Houston Texans safety Tyrann Mathieu’s asking price will be when he hits the open market.
The former 2015 second-round pick will sign a six-year deal with Washington worth $84 million, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Collins is a three-time Pro Bowler and 2016 first-team All Pro. However, in 2018, the former LSU Tiger recorded 96 combined tackles, four pass deflections, and a forced fumble through 12 games, a down year for the 25-year-old safety.
By comparison, Mathieu, a Pro Bowler and a first-team All-Pro selection from 2015, produced 89 combined tackles, 3.0 sacks, two interceptions, eight pass deflections, and a forced fumble through 16 starts. Mathieu signed a one-year contract worth $7 million in 2018 after the Arizona Cardinals cut him. The Honey Badger managed to play himself into the market as a top safety.
If Collins can command that type of money coming off of a down season, what could Mathieu get coming off of a near Pro Bowl season? Whatever the case, the Collins deal gives insight as to what general manager Brian Gaine and the Texans will have to pay to keep Mathieu around for the long term.
