How to Win at the Slots

When offenses started moving receivers inside to exploit matchups, defenses countered by inventing a part-time linebacker-safety-corner hybrid. In today’s NFL, that’s one of the most important (and challenging) spots on the field.

- Tim Rohan

IN EARLY AUGUST, Tyrann Mathieu sat at a conference table in the Cardinals’ team hotel wearing a gray suit and red tie, signing and initialing his new contract extension. A few of his family members were behind him.

When Mathieu finished signing, Michael Bidwill, the team’s president, shook his hand, congratulated him, and reminded him of their shared goals: more Pro Bowls, multiple Vince Lombardi trophies, another contract in a few years. The deal signified that Mathieu was one of the faces of the team. Bidwill turned and congratulated Mathieu’s parents. “He’s earned every bit of it,” he told them.

Maybe Bidwill was just being nice. During negotiations, in fact, there had been much debate about Mathieu’s exact worth. Not only was he coming off a right-ACL injury, but it also wasn’t clear to which position — and therefore which salary bracket — Mathieu belonged. The Cardinals list him as a safety on their roster because that’s where he plays in their base 3–4 scheme, and generally safeties earn less than cornerbacks. But during the 2015 season Mathieu spent the majority of his snaps at nickel cornerback (also known as slot corner), playing inside on nickel packages (with five DBs) andoftenlinedupagainsttheslotreceiver.Hisisapositionthat the general public still perceives as reserved for a backup — a position in the process of being redefined.