Packers: Clay Matthews signing with Rams, per report
The Green Bay Packers’ all-time sack leader, Clay Matthews, is signing with the Los Angeles Rams.
Eighty-four-and-a-half sacks. More than any other Green Bay Packer in history. After an incredible 10-year career in Packers News, Clay Matthews moves on.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Matthews is signing with the Los Angeles Rams.
Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported that it’s a two-year deal.
Two-year deal for LB Clay Matthews with the #Rams worth a max of $16.75 million, source says. He had more lucrative offers on the table but he just welcomed his third child and really wanted to play close to home. Plus, a shot at another ring doesn’t hurt.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 20, 2019
Matthews is a Super Bowl champion, a six-time Pro Bowler and a three-time All-Pro. He has been a star in the Green Bay Packers defense for a number of years. But his search for a second Super Bowl ring will now be with the Los Angeles Rams.
The Packers’ decision not to re-sign Matthews is hardly surprising after they signed Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith to big contracts last week. General manager Brian Gutekunst has made some tough decisions over the past year, and letting the team’s all-time sack leader walk is one of them.
But after finishing the 2018 season with just 3.5 sacks, the team decided it was time to make a change.
With the signings made last week, it felt like the only way Matthews would be re-signed was if defensive coordinator Mike Pettine planned to use him at inside linebacker, a position he played between 2014 and 2015.
Earlier on Tuesday, Jay Glazer of The Athletic reported that Randall Cobb has signed with the Dallas Cowboys. Two players who have been key to the Packers’ success over the past decade have signed with new teams on the same day.
The question now is whether Green Bay plans to bring in another edge rusher this offseason. The Smiths will replace Matthews and Nick Perry, who was released last week, but will Brian Gutekunst look to add more depth in the draft? That’s a question for next month.
One thing is certain: Matthews will go down as one of the all-time great defensive players in Green Bay Packers history.
Thank you, Clay Matthews!