Arizona Cardinals: Tyrann Mathieu Signs Rookie Contract

May 10, 2013; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals cornerback Tyrann Mathieu (32) signals during a drill during rookie minicamp at the Cardinals Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

In the NFL draft, the Arizona Cardinals wanted playmakers. By drafting Tyrann Mathieu, they got one.

Now, Mathieu is officially a member of the Cardinals. According to NFL.com, Mathieu signed a four-year deal worth a bit more than $3 million with a $265,000 signing bonus. Mathieu missed his senior season at LSU, but, as our staff writer Ryan Sakamoto stated, he always has a knack for the football and is very similar to St. Louis Rams’ cornerback Janoris Jenkings.

This doesn’t appear to be a lot for the NFL, as a lot of rookies are signing bigger deals. However, this shows that Mathieu is willing to play for the Cardinals and that he isn’t going to hold out because of the money. Mathieu is on the right track, and it’s reasonable to expect him to outplay his contract and earn a bigger one if he can stay away from drugs and stay out of trouble.

For the Cardinals, this is great news. Mathieu has the potential to be great, and if he is moved to cornerback, he and Patrick Peterson could make life miserable for opposing quarterbacks.