Packers: More snaps for Reggie Gilbert, less for Clay Matthews

The Green Bay Packers should start Reggie Gilbert over Clay Matthews at outside linebacker.

After an amazing come-from-behind win for the Green Bay Packers last Sunday against the Bears, there are adjustments that need to be made heading into Week 2 against the Vikings.

One adjustment in particular is that outside linebacker Reggie Gilbert deserves more snaps.

And I think he should be starting over Clay Matthews.

Gilbert’s first two seasons

Gilbert was an undrafted free agent out of the University of Arizona and had spent the 2016 season on the Packers practice squad, as well as a majority of the 2017 season there. It wasn’t until the final two games of the year that the Packers gave Gilbert a chance to play in a regular season game.

In the final two games of the season, Gilbert was able to tally one sack and two tackles, all of which came in the Packers’ last game against the Detroit Lions, where he was one of the few bright spots on the team that day. Gilbert asserted himself into the offseason discussion of someone to keep your eye on in 2018.

2018 preseason

As we made our way through minicamp and training camp, Gilbert continued to show his improvement in practices. He had his sights set on the 53-man roster. During the Packers preseason games, Gilbert appeared in three of the four, putting up great numbers along the way. He was able to force two fumbles, had nine tackles and 3.5 sacks.

Gilbert’s size allows him to switch back and forth between a defensive end and an outside linebacker, the perfect hybrid for this Packers defense.

Clocking in at 6-foot-3, 261 pounds, Gilbert brings great size and athleticism to the pass rush, an area that needs to continue to improve as we make our way into Week 2 of the season.

Week 1 performance

Statistically in Week 1, Gilbert didn’t put up numbers that you would be astonished by, but he was a part of a big play that may have saved the game for the Packers.

Gilbert had two recorded tackles against the Bears but was limited in the number of plays he saw. This can be expected in Week 1 for a player who was on the practice squad his first two seasons. Of the 70 snaps that the Packers defense was on the field, Gilbert was out there for 37 of them, according to Pro Football Reference.

The game-saving play came as the Bears were making their final drive of the game, looking for a touchdown to put the Packers away. Initially there was no one in the backfield other than the quarterback, but running back Tarik Cohen motioned back there. The speedy Cohen would end up being Gilbert’s assignment and what most would consider a mismatch for Green Bay.

On the snap, Cohen runs a wheel route out of the backfield with Gilbert pursuing. Cohen was able to get a step as he sprinted to the end zone, but Gilbert stayed close enough that a throw from Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky wasn’t warranted.

This could have turned into an easy touchdown for the Bears and would have most likely led to a Packers loss.

Clay Matthews’ struggles

Coming off a 10-sack season in 2017, many were hoping his performance was a sign that Clay still had some gas left in the tank. However his Week 1 performance said otherwise.

For just about all of the game, Clay struggled to get to Trubisky, he always seemed to be a step or two behind. In addition, he often found himself over pursuing, taking himself out of the play due to being over aggressive. Matthews was on the field for 60 of Green Bay’s 70 defensive snaps and in that time only recorded one tackle.

One would like to chalk up his Week 1 performances to rust, due to limited preseason action. But there were some plays from Matthews that just made you shake your head. A few times there appeared to just be a lack of effort on his part.

On one play, as Bears tight end Trey Burton caught a pass across the middle, Clay half sprinted to the ball carrier, while Tramon Williams came in full speed to make the play.

Due to Matthews’ roughing the passer penalty, he had nearly cost the Packers the game after the defense had stopped the Bears on a fourth down play. It was a decision that appeared to be made out of frustration, but at this point in his career, it’s inexcusable.

Entering Week 2

This week the Packers will have a tough opponent in the Vikings, and it’s going to be a hard-fought game from start to finish. A major key to the Packers winning this game is going to be getting a pass rush.

Running back Dalvin Cook had a good first game back since tearing his ACL in 2017, and the Vikings will be sure to get him more touches. It will also be pertinent for the Green Bay pass rush to get to quarterback Kirk Cousins.

This will disrupt his timing, force him to move out of the pocket, and make some difficult throws. A strong pass rush will greatly help the young secondary cover the Vikings receivers.

After last week’s performances, I think Gilbert should start the first few series over Matthews. If the Packers defense is on the field for 65 snaps, I’d like to see Gilbert out there for 50-plus of them, while reducing the amount Clay takes.

At this point in their careers, Gilbert brings more versatility than Matthews and I see him being a bigger contributor moving forward.