Clay Matthews has been released by the Los Angeles Rams and has become a free agent. Many Green Bay Packers fans would love to see him reunite with the Packers. Many others believe the Packers should stay away and keep going with the youth movement on defense. In this edition of our “Three reasons,” we will take a look at three reasons why the Packers should bring back the “Clay Maker”.
The Lack of Depth at Inside Linebacker
It’s true: Clay’s best seasons came at outside linebacker. However, he played parts of three seasons at inside linebacker for the Packers. In two of those seasons, he was named to the Pro Bowl. Obviously, Clay’s starting days are over, especially if he were to return to the Packers. Christian Kirksey was signed on the first day of free agency. If he is able to remain healthy, he will certainly occupy one of the starting spots.
The Packers’ defense, though, is lacking depth behind Kirksey. Both Blake Martinez and Kyler Fackrell signed deals to play with the New York Giants next season. The “Smith Brothers” are expected to have productive seasons again in 2020, but they both play on the outside. Bring Matthews in, who has experience both inside and out, can only help the thinned out linebacker core.
He Can Still Play at a High Level
Last season, with the Rams, Matthews exploded out of the gates with six sacks in the team’s first five games. Unfortunately, he suffered a jaw injury that kept him out of action until week 10, and he never really returned to form.
That being said, any athlete needs to be able to practice and play consistently to maintain a high level of play. Had Matthews not suffered a broken jaw, he may have had a Pro Bowl worthy season. He finished the season with eight sacks and two forced fumbles. Those eight sacks would have been good for third on the Packers, behind only the “Smith Brothers.”
A History of Success
Clay Matthews is the Packers all-time sacks leader with 83.5 sacks as a Packer. In his 10 seasons with the Packers, Matthews totaled 10 or more sacks in a season four times. In addition, he is a six-time Pro Bowl linebacker who has made one All-Pro team (2010). While it is true that he has had injury issues in the past, he has never played less than 11 games in a season, even last year when he suffered a broken jaw. As a backup linebacker, he is sure to play less snaps and will, in theory, be healthier throughout the season.
Conclusion
A reunion with Matthews would be difficult as the Packers do not have much cap space to work with. However, if he would be willing take a team-friendly contract for one or two seasons, it would be a no-brainer for the Packers.
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