Getty Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu celebrates an interception in the final minutes of a game against the Denver Broncos.
The Kansas City Chiefs already have their primary punt returner set in stone heading into the 2021 regular season, but there is one more player that believes his name should be thrown into the mix:
The Chiefs’ All-Pro safety staked his claim on Twitter Saturday evening, August 21, explaining why he thinks he should be given the opportunity to return punts for Kansas City.
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How It Started
It all started when Mathieu tweeted out a picture of himself with the caption, “I’ve been begging coach for a punt return!”
I’ve been begging coach for a punt return!
A Twitter follower with the handle @kcwolfpac79 commented on the photo, asking the question “If u get it u getting a house call? Lmao.” Mathieu then responded, “Maybe but I’ll def get 15 yards a pop,” stating that he could average 15 yards per return if he were given the opportunity to return punts.
@kcwolfpac79 Maybe but I’ll def get 15 yards a pop
Another Twitter follower commented on the photo, saying “Far too valuable for that sir!,” Mathieu responded “I play smarter than ever now a days. I don’t do unnecessary hitting. I think I can survive,” stating that he would pick and choose when to take hits if he were to return punts, keeping himself healthy enough to also play defense.
@AWGM_ I play smarter than ever now a days. I don’t do unnecessary hitting. I think I can survive
Mathieu’s Career Punt Return Numbers
Despite having not done so in nearly three years, Mathieu does have experience as a punt returner. But his experience doing it in the NFL is minimal. The last time he collected a punt was in 2018 when he was playing for the Houston Texans, and took just one punt that season for six yards, per Pro Sports Reference. The only other time during his NFL career he has been a returner was in his rookie season with the Arizona Cardinals, when he took two kick returns for a total of eight yards.
However, Mathieu was quite the punt returner in college. During his sophomore season at LSU, he returned 27 punts for a total of 421 yards — an average of 15.6 yards per return — and took two of them for touchdowns, per Sports Reference.
Who He’d Compete With
One of the main reasons why Mathieu will likely never see the field as a punt returner for Kansas City is because of who already holds those duties for the Chiefs. Third-year receiver Mecole Hardman is the primary punt returner for Kansas City, and in 2020 returned 25 punts for an average of seven yards per return, with his longest return being for 67 yards and a touchdown. Cornerback Mike Hughes has also shown an ability to be an effective punt returner this preseason, being graded as the Chiefs’ best returner over the past two games, per PFF.
Hardman’s blazing speed and explosiveness will continue to be utilized as a returner. And in the event that Hardman regresses as a returner or is injured, Hughes should be the next man to replace him.
Mathieu’s All-Pro ability at safety is too valuable for him to also be a returner, especially considering he is nearing the age of 30.