The Los Angeles Rams made a move of interest to fans of the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, releasing linebacker Clay Matthews after just one season.
Matthews, who turns 34 in May, left Green Bay for Los Angeles in free agency last March. He went on to produce eight sacks, two forced fumbles, nine tackles for losses and 11 quarterback hits over 13 games in 2019.
Could a reunion make sense in Green Bay?
Here are the pros and cons of the Packers bringing back Matthews:
Pros
– The Packers lost Kyler Fackrell in free agency and could use another situational pass-rusher. Matthews showed he still has some juice left in the pass-rushing tank last year.
– The Packers also have a need at inside linebacker, a position Matthews played for a stretch during his career in Green Bay. He’s tough and instinctive and could help the Packers patch the hole for a year.
– Mike Pettine likes putting as many outside linebacker types on the field as possible in passing situations. Matthews’ versatility would fit that idea.
– At the very least, Matthews would provide experienced and quality depth at potentially two positions. The Packers are unlikely to have such great injury luck in 2020.
Cons
– The Packers had a chance to re-sign Matthews at a discount rate last year and passed. GM Brian Gutekunst may have no interest in revisiting the idea.
– More than likely Matthews will be far more expensive than the Packers are comfortable spending on a fourth edge rusher or situational inside linebacker.
– The Packers need to get 2019 first-round pick Rashan Gary on the field more in 2020.
– Does Matthews have any real interest in playing inside linebacker? He certainly preferred playing on the edge during his time in Green Bay.
– Is signing a soon-to-be 34-year-old the right solution for the Packers at inside linebacker? Matthews probably won’t be a rangy, sideline to sideline player.
– It’s much easier to age gracefully while playing on the edge. Inside linebacker is a tough position that could quickly grind away whatever useful ability Matthews still has left.
– Can Matthews cover well enough to play inside at his age? He could be a big liability in the passing game.
– Matthews needs 8.5 more sacks to get to 100 career sacks. He’ll want a big opportunity to rush the quarterback in 2020.
Verdict
A reunion would certainly make for a good story, but many of the factors involved make it look highly unlikely, given the Packers’ lack of interest in bringing back Matthews last March and Matthews’ likely preference to play on the edge. The guess here is that Matthews finds a different team to pay him more money and let him play outside and rush the quarterback in 2020.