The Packers have discussed an extension with edge rusher Clay Matthews, according to Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
“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.”
Matthews, 32, is in the final season of a five-year, $66MM extension he signed in April 2013. Next year, he’s scheduled to earn a base salary of $10.4MM and count for roughly $11.338MM on Green Bay’s salary cap. A new deal for Matthews could reduce his 2018 cap figure, especially if it contains a signing bonus that would prorate over the life of the pact.
As Matthews has aged, the Packers have reduced his snaps. Over the past two years, Matthews averaged only 566 snaps per season; conversely, from 2012-15, he saw action on 801 plays per year. That reduced usage may have helped Matthews’ play, as he graded as the NFL’s No. 22 pass rusher last season, per Pro Football Focus, which assigned Matthews his best marks since the 2012 campaign.
I like the Packers strategy of making players better by reducing their snaps. Imagine how many All Pros they could have at the end of the season if they kept everyone on the bench.
How about they give him an extension but only if he’s open to playing MLB. His days as an elite pass rusher behind him, he’s still an upgrade in the middle over Ryan and would be a good fit until Burks grows into the role.
100% thought you were saying he should play in the MLB.
If a player is too slow to pass rush I would be very hesitant to stick him right in the middle of the defense. Your MLB has to have plenty of lateral mobility and also be able to stay with RBs that are sent out on pass routes. That’s probably asking too much of a 32 year old vet.
He’s not too slow. He doesn’t have the strength and suddenness to take on OTs every snap anymore. He was an excellent ILB for us in 2014 and 2015 when we had Peppers.
Idk. Clay may not be a first ballot hall of famer like Ray Lewis, but I wouldn’t be shocked if they had similar careers. Basically I’m saying while Ray certainly slowed down at the end of his career, his leadership, wisdom, and desire made him a more than capable NFL LB
How are the discussions with FREE AGENT Aaron Rodgers coming?
Do you even follow football? I mean honestly. If you think Aaron Rodgers is a Free Agent you must not know what football is.
Rodgers is not a free agent after this year. He actually has 2 years left on his contract
As long as they don’t pay him like the player he once WAS, this is probably a good idea. Matthews has clearly lost a couple of steps, but can be a good situational player and show the youngsters what it means to prepare like you mean it.
Most of his sacks last year were against backup right tackles. I’d rather let him sign elsewhere and try to find some younger players that could improve like Gilbert has.