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Green Bay Packers 2015 season grades: Linebackers

By Freddie Boston

Nov 22, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews (52) celebrates during the third quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium. The Packers defeated the Vikings 30-15. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews (52) celebrates during the third quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium. The Packers defeated the Vikings 30-15. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 8, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Julius Peppers (56) stretches prior to the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Julius Peppers (56) stretches prior to the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

How did the Green Bay Packers’ linebackers perform in 2015?

Linebacker was an up-and-down position for the Green Bay Packers in 2015. There’s plenty of talent with Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers and Nick Perry, but the Packers went into the season with a need at inside linebacker.

READ MORE: Grading the Packers’ defensive line

Jake Ryan helped filled the need, but losing Sam Barrington early in the season exposed a lack of depth at the position which forced Ryan and Nate Palmer into bigger roles. Matthews was also forced to play out of position after successfully moving inside during the 2014 season.

Let’s take a look back at the group of linebackers and how they performed in the 2015 season. The Packers have a number of tough decisions to make with Perry and Mike Neal set to hit free agency in March. Who will they bring back? Is it possible to retain both or will they need to make a choice between the two?

We’ll begin our review by looking at Matthews, who has been the Packers’ best player on defense for a number of years now. How would he handle a full year at inside linebacker with limited opportunity to get after the quarterback from the outside?

Next: Clay Matthews

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