One of the questions the Green Bay Packers will have to address after this season is the future of linebacker Clay Matthews.
At age 32, Matthews is entering the final season of his contract. He hasn’t had double digit sacks since 2014, when he had 11. Of course, he was used as an inside linebacker in 2015 and 2016.
The age, potential contract cost and diminishing returns on the field will make a tough decision for the Packers.
What does Matthews think? He’d like to play three more years.
“My agency and upstairs have had talks,” Matthews said. “We’ll see where it goes. At the same time, I’ll just go out there and do my things and let the pieces fall where they may.
“I’ve been here going on 10 years, so I’d like to obviously add a few more to that. I’m not in control of that. All I can control is what I do on Sundays, and hopefully it’s a big year.”
If Matthews can have a big year, that’s great for the Packers. It’s also going to be great for Matthews possibly getting another deal in Green Bay.
It’s not out of the question that Matthews perhaps has a few more solid years left in him. His dad played until he was 40. What his role would be just might change.
Matthews played well and stayed healthy — always a question for him — while playing inside. The Packers appear set at that position, however. It’s conceivable that Matthews could also become more of a situational rusher, much like Julius Peppers was with the Packers.
However it works out, we can’t see Matthews making anywhere near the $13 million annually he’s currently getting. It would be weird to see him in another uniform though.
Maybe out as “part” of a trade for Kahlil Mack?
Always love seeing the lovely Jennifer Matthews around Green Bay. So id love to see him back, at a hometown discount of course.
He talked about getting 15 sacks this season and having a bag of cash waiting for him. The truth is he makes a play every now and then, whatever dude.
Make the trade for Mack, either involve Mathews in the trade or release him and use that 10.8 million you save to spend on signing Mack.
CM has been dead to me since taking himself out, because of fatigue, late in the Seattle NFC championship game. He cares more about shampoo commercials than football
That’s also the last time he surpassed 8 sacks a season. The next three years have all been <8, and he's been getting about $14 million a year ever since. That rounds out to roughly $2 million per sack. Mack might cost a pretty penny but at least he will be more cost effective than Matthews.