Forget about wining and dining free agents. Steelers players are in an all-out social media blitz to lure free agent safety Tyrann Mathieu.
Mathieu, who refused to take a pay cut to stay with Arizona, was released Wednesday, the first day of the new league year.
Defensive team captain Cameron Heyward tweeted at Mathieu Thursday morning and outside linebacker Keion Adams did the same Wednesday night, even going to the lengths of photo-shopping Mathieu into a Steelers uniform.
@Mathieu_Era pic.twitter.com/xklgDXRIWj
— #QuiickBandz #BOSrackz (@civilSAVAGE1) March 14, 2018
Mathieu tweeted back at Heyward: “What’s good big homie.”
Mathieu, an All-Pro in 2015, might be a good fit for the Steelers, but can they afford him? It was reported by several outlets that the pay cut Mathieu refused was from his scheduled salary of $12 million down to $9 million.
So it appears the bidding will start there. Mathieu said upon his release from the Cardinals: “I wanna go somewhere where football and defense matter.”
@Mathieu_Era what’s up bro?
— Cam Heyward (@CamHeyward) March 15, 2018
What's good big homie https://t.co/pva1meJ4Mv
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) March 15, 2018
Of course, the Steelers players aren’t the only ones recruiting Mathieu. Three-time NFL defensive player of the year J.J. Watt and others have chimed in as well.
It’s looking like Mathieu won’t be lacking for suitors.
Ray Fittipaldo: fittipaldo@post-gazette.com and Twitter @rayfitt1.
First Published: March 15, 2018, 3:50 p.m.
Updated: March 15, 2018, 3:52 p.m.
