The Green Bay Packers seem content to let go of a staple of their defense at the end of the 2018 season. Outside linebacker Clay Matthews is likely playing his last season in Green Bay as the team does not plan to re-sign him once his contract expires at the end of the season, according to Bob McGinn of BobMcGinnFootball.com
“I’m told that the Green Bay Packers reached this conclusion (that his production was waning) some time ago,” McGinn wrote. “I’m also told that, if the season were to end today, they have no intention of re-signing Matthews after his contract expires at the end of the season.
Matthews has played his entire 10-year career in Green Bay, providing them with a constant presence in the middle of their defense.
Matthews, 32, is due $11.3 million this season, the final year of a 5-year, $66 million contract that he signed in the 2013 off-season. Letting Matthews walk would give the Packers a nice chunk of change to play around with in free agency after this season.
So far this season, Matthews has zero sacks and just four combined tackles through two games. His play started to dip in the 2016 season when he had just 24 combined tackles and 5.0 total sacks.
Matthews had a slight rebound in 2017, at least when it comes to rushing the passer. He came up with 8.5 sacks a year ago, his highest total since finishing with 11 sacks in the 2014 season.
There is still a chance that Matthews can prove his worth to the Packers, but as of now the only way he sticks around after this season is by taking a huge pay-cut.
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