4 former Packers who could come out of retirement and still play in 2023

2. Clay Matthews, EDGE

Clay Matthews is an all-time great, one of the best players to ever wear the green and gold. In his 10-year career with the Packers, he made an unbelievable 83.5 sacks and 189 quarterback hits. Matthews was a six-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro during his time in Green Bay, and he also played a vital role in the Packers' Super Bowl win in 2010.

Needless to say, Matthews had a Hall-of-Fame career.

After leaving Green Bay, Matthews spent one season with the Los Angeles Rams and has been out of the league since. He told Packers Wire in 2022 that his "playing days were over."

Even though he hasn't played in four years, Matthews could probably still make an impact. After all, he played well in his one season with the Rams, making eight sacks and 11 quarterback hits in 13 games. Matthews showed that season that he could still play.

We'll almost certainly never get to see Matthews wear the green and gold again, as fun as it would be, but we almost did. According to ESPN's Rob Demovsky, Matthews said he had spoken with Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry in 2021 and believed there was a chance he could return to Green Bay.

It never happened, and Matthews' playing days might be over, but he'll be in the Packers Hall of Fame before long.