Clay Matthews, Everson Griffen drawing interest from Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks are reportedly interested in a pair of former USC Trojans; Everson Griffen and Clay Matthews.

NFL free agency opened up officially on March 18, less than a week after the COVID-19 crisis shut most of the country down. As such, the pandemic has very clearly had an impact on a handful of free agents who are still looking for employment heading into what will be a unique 2020 season.

Two of the most prominent names still on the market, outside of Jadeveon Clowney, are former USC Trojans: defensive end Everson Griffen and outside linebacker Clay Matthews.

Now, with training camp just getting underway and teams allowed to conduct in-person physicals, it looks like the long wait may be nearing an end for at least one of Griffen and Matthews – as they are each drawing interest from Clowney’s former team, the Seattle Seahawks.

The Seahawks almost certainly won’t sign both of coach Pete Carroll’s former players, but they have been connected to each of them throughout the offseason – especially when it became clear a reunion with Clowney was unlikely.

Griffen, at least on paper, seems like a better fit for the Seahawks. He is an accomplished pass rusher off the edge, with 74.5 career sacks to his name during a 10-year career with the Minnesota Vikings. He is known to have interest in Seattle as well, but was waiting to see what would happen with Clowney – a saga that remains unresolved.

Matthews would certainly upgrade Seattle’s depleted pass rush, but his complicated history with the team and the fan base may make him a tricky addition, and the team’s plethora of outside linebacker candidates – including the recently signed Bruce Irvin – make this less of a fit as the roster is currently constructed.

Regardless, both veterans will find themselves homes before too long, and it looks very likely one of them will be in the Emerald City.

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