Brian Gutekunst noncommittal on futures of Randall Cobb, Clay Matthews
-- With a pair of contracts attached to lengthily-tenured players set to expire within the next month, Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst didn't clear up what is otherwise a hazy future for the both of them.
Speaking at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis and fielding questions from the media, Gutekunst did, however, make it clear that decisions on both Randall Cobb and Clay Matthews will be made in the coming weeks.
"Randall’s been a great player for us, he’s one of the all-time Packers," Gutekunst said. "We’re still kind of putting that puzzle together. We have draft meetings and free agency meetings and now we’re here at the combine. As we get all the information together as we approach the next few weeks, we’ll have a better idea."
Cobb's contract -- a four-year, $40 million dollar deal signed in 2015 -- has been deemed a little too rich for the Packers at various points in the last few seasons, as the numbers haven't necessarily matched his production output.
The Packers made the decision last offseason to release Jordy Nelson as opposed to Cobb, and as of September, that seemed like the appropriate move.
Cobb dropped 142 receiving yards on the Chicago Bears in the team's season opener, but only accumulated 241 through the next eight games he played in. He battled a hamstring injury -- originally sustained in week three -- for much of the season before suffering a grade two concussion in December.
Matthews, meanwhile, played in all 16 games for the Packers last season for the first time since 2015. He still ended up finishing with a career-low total in sacks (3.5) and involuntarily spearheaded the league's efforts to pull back slightly on rules protecting the quarterback.
The Packers have experimented with Matthews in recent years, moving him from his typical EDGE position to planting his fingers in the grass to letting him rush the passer from the inside as a linebacker. But with Matthews set to turn 33 this May and no outward signs of regaining his former vigor, a 10-year stint with the Packers could be at its end.
"Clay’s obviously been a great player for us for a long time," Gutekunst said. "He’s still playing at a very very high level, and we’ll kind of get to that as we go over the next two weeks."
It's unlikely the Packers retain either one of Cobb or Matthews, but one over the other at a significantly discounted rate may not be out of the question.
The Packers are currently sitting on just north of $35 million dollars -- and growing -- in cap space with 10 draft selections in their pocket. The obvious scenario likely sees the Packers filling roster vacancies left behind by both Cobb and Matthews in free agency and April's draft.
__________________________
Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].
Comments (7)
Lphill
February 27, 2019 at 12:08 pm
I cant blame Clay for being gun shy after the bad calls made against him, he played a lot of snaps with no real relief, I think he still can be a force with a decent rotation, I hope he remains.
Handsback
February 27, 2019 at 12:27 pm
Dawg0808, I admire your loyalty but it's a business and I doubt either will impact many games next year and need to be replaced.
Roadrunner23
February 27, 2019 at 12:32 pm
I'd love to see Clay back at a "team friendly" 3 year deal, the Free Agent market will again feature over inflated contracts for overvalued Pass Rushers.
Keep Clay and see if the new OLB coach can get the best out of him.
It would be nice to see #52 finish out his career as a Packer!!
Go Pack!!
that is all...
lou
February 27, 2019 at 01:08 pm
Cobb was a class act and a multi-talented contributor until injuries took away some quickness and some of his aggressiveness, wish him nothing but good luck. Mathews sold out on every play for 10 seasons (thanks to the Pat's for the draft day trade that allowed him to be a Packer) and was a real game changer, his caused fumble in the Super Bowl win will be on the Packers Top 10 List for a long time. I have no idea how the new assignments in Petine's defense or the tight QB roughing calls affected his play last year but based on the OLB roster at seasons end it would be great to have him back for a couple more seasons on a reasonable contract. I just heard Gute say that Graham had a productive year but I just can't believe they will give him the $5M bonus due soon. If they believe he has some value going forward they should cut him and based on the year he had last year the competition to sign him based on performance/age should make resigning him for a lot less possible (this is still a business). Tom Silverstein the senior Packer beat writer wrote last week, "The naked eye shows that Graham can't run past anyone any more". Perry just based on "availability" and a bonus due soon almost equal to Graham must be cut. He had Dave Robinson measureables at OLB but could never stay on the field.
AgrippaLII
February 27, 2019 at 05:57 pm
I'd like to see Matthews resigned by the Packers. He may not be as fast as he once was but he still has a non-stop motor and plenty of experience. He can play inside or outside...he's the kind of veteran presence you want in your locker room. I would think Gutekunst recognizes this and tries to keep Clay around a couple more years. I'm hoping they can reach an agreement that is equitable to both sides.
fthisJack
February 28, 2019 at 07:32 am
Cobb is hurt too often and can be replaced either in FA or the draft. Mathews will depend on who comes after him in FA at what price. last year he would have had 5.5 sacks if it wasn't for the stupid QB's wearing dresses rule. i could see him brought back as a third down guy to keep his motor fresh. maybe 1 or 2 year contract on the cheap.
Doug Niemczynski
March 02, 2019 at 08:10 am
Lower contract and move him to ILB