It seems like fewer and fewer players spend their entire career with one organization. I thought Clay Matthews could have been one of those guys. Why not make Matthews a Packer for life? Matthews signed a contract this offseason with the Rams leaving Green Bay for the city he played for in College, Los Angeles. Green Bay didn’t even attempt to re-sign Matthews. They essentially told him to hit the road.
Mike Silver of NFL Network had the story:
“I was kind of taken
aback, because I thought I’d always be back there, whether it was at a cheaper price [or not],” Matthews said. “So that was kind of a shock, because [my family] stayed out there and had our third child in the offseason, and I was hanging in town training there and everything. And yeah, that was kind of a surprise to me because I just figured I would be out there a few more years.“People say, ‘You chose to go to L.A.’ I didn’t choose. They told me there was no room for me.”
Green Bay clearly wanted to move on from Matthews. The Packers loaded up in free agency signing Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith right away. They also drafted Rashan Gary and gave him his old number 52. Green Bay must feel comfortable enough with Blake Martinez at middle linebacker. A spot Matthews played frequently with the Pack.
For what it’s worth, Matthews is happy to be back in LA. Now the Rams have him and Dante Fowler to bring the heat off the edge. Matthews may not be back in Green Bay but he is back in LA. It comes full circle. Just years ago, the Packers picked Matthews in the first round out of USC.
“I’m so happy to be here,” he said. “It just feels like this is where I’m supposed to be.”
