has consistently been one of the ' best defenders since arriving in the NFL in 2013, and the team rewarded him in August 2016 with . But now it looks like he'll be playing for a new team in 2018.The Cardinals have before the start of the new league year, FOX Sports reports. Cardinals have informed the Tyrann Mathieau The Honey Badger they are releasing him Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) If the do-it Mirza Teletovic Jersey -all defensive back was still on the roster by March 16, that would have tied him to the Cardinals for the next two seasons -- and $18.8 million of his salary over the next two years would have become guaranteed. Before releasing their talented defensive back, .Not surprisingly, Mathieu wasn't interested, though he wondered recently if the team would have broached the subject had he made the Pro Bowl. "I wouldn't say the pay cut offer was a spit in the face but ... I was offered to play in the Pro Bowl. So had I played in the Pro Bowl, would the narrative be different? Because I don't know many teams who cut Pro Bowl players. I think about all those things," he said. Mathieu, who won't be out of work long, suddenly becomes one of the most sought-after free agents. Demand for defensive backs who are solid in the pa sing game and Jason Terry Jersey stout against the run far outstrips supply. And with that in mind, here are five teams who would immediately upgrade their secondary by adding Mathieu.The took in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft and he's started 25 games, including 16 last season. But 30-year-old , who wasn't completely healthy in 2017, enters the final year of a five-year deal and has a salary-cap hit of $8.1 million, . Pittsburgh would like to pair Davis with a younger, more dynamic partner and Mathieu, who is 25, certainly fits the description. He has struggled with injuries (he's torn ACL's in both knees and a shoulder injury limited him to 10 games in 2016) but when Mathieu is healthy, he can be a game-changer. Pittsburgh's need in Greg Monroe Jersey the secondary -- particularly at safety -- is why we have them taking . signed with the last week. is 36.Carolina spent the last several years building out a defense that is predicated on the front seven creating pre sure and limiting the exposure of its secondary, but that was pretty much a vestige of the Dave Gettleman regime. Under new (old) general manager Marty Hurney, the might not have the personnel to keep it going; former first-rounder is leaving in free agency and 38-year-old is po sibly playing his last season. The secondary, meanwhile, needs to get better; safety Kurt Coleman signed with the Saints last week and his partner, Mike Adams is 36. Mathieu is an obvious option, though the Panthers will have competition for his services.The had the 18th-ranked defense last season, and were 22nd against the pa s, according to . And while they drafted safeties with their first two picks last season -- sixth overall, 39th overall. Adams ranked among the top-third of all safeties, via ' grades but May was 80th out of 89. The Jets remain high on both their young players but you can never have too many good defensive backs. And Adams, who played at like Mathieu, agrees. Yooo come link up with the JETS 5. It definitely would be a show every Sunday. Im just saying! JamalAdams (@TheAdams_era) The are in the midst of revamping a defense that was among the league's most tenacious for a five- or six-year stretch. has already been traded to the , is expected to be released, and safety could be on the trading block. It's also unclear if and will be cleared to Vin Baker Jersey return to the field after suffering neck injuries. If Thomas does stay in Seattle, pairing him with a playmaker like Mathieu could help ease the transition into a post-Legion of Oscar Robertson Jersey Boom world. Mathieu won't come cheap, of course, and perhaps the Seahawks have finally concluded that spending some money on their offensive line -- and protecting in the proce s -- is a more immediate need. The Eagles exposed the ' two biggest flaws in Super Bowl LII: Lack of a consistent pa s rush and a secondary in desperate need of playmakers. New England tried to trade for Michael Bennett but were late to the party, but you can expect them to restock the roster at defensive back in the coming weeks and months. Yes, the team is happy with Devon McCourty, and , but again (say it with us), you can never have too many playmakers in the secondary. Plus, Mathieu is versatile enough to play cornerback, safety and even inside linebacker in the subpackages. If he ends up in New England, Bill Belichick will undoubtedly find a way to maximize his talents.