Clay Matthews says Packers weren't interested in hometown discount

The former Packers linebacker expected to be back in Green Bay. 

Interesting comment from former Packers linebacker Clay Matthews in this post from Mike Silver.

As he approached unrestricted free agency last March, the versatile veteran believed he'd end up back in Green Bay, even if it meant giving the Packers a bit of a Titletown discount.

Before he could weigh his options, however, he was told the team was no longer interested in his services.

"I was kind of taken aback, because I thought I'd always be back there, whether it was at a cheaper price [or not]," Matthews said. "So that was kind of a shock, because [my family] stayed out there and had our third child in the offseason, and I was hanging in town training there and everything. And yeah, that was kind of a surprise to me because I just figured I would be out there a few more years.

"People say, 'You chose to go to L.A.' I didn't choose. They told me there was no room for me."

While it was certainly time to move on, here's hoping Matthews doesn't become the next in a long line of former Packers defenders who looked done in Green Bay and went on to shine elsewhere...

 

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2 points
 

Comments (51)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Point-Packer's picture

August 26, 2019 at 10:46 am

And now the Packers are dumpster diving for LB's.....

There's no way a healthy Clay would have been anything but an upgrade/value add across the LB corps this year. Green Bay should have at least discussed a number with him. Why they didn't is beyond me.

-6 points
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cuervo's picture

August 26, 2019 at 12:21 pm

Money, Age, Injuries, declining play, they wanted to spend the money they would have spent on him to pay for younger players that have been able to suit up for 16 games multiple years in a row...etc.

It's really quite simple.

15 points
16
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Coldworld's picture

August 26, 2019 at 01:01 pm

Would Clay replace Martinez? If not, he would only be a depth player because he isn’t going to cover in the short passing game. Beware sepia tinted vision.

7 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

August 26, 2019 at 01:12 pm

Fakerell has his spot as designated rusher.

2 points
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dobber's picture

August 26, 2019 at 01:14 pm

Not on the outside.

People kept saying that CMIII should have been retained to play in the middle, but when you look back at his time when he played significant snaps in the middle, he was rated as only an average (at best) ILB. He certainly shored up the defense at the time, but only because the ILB situation was that poor.

10 points
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Leatherhead's picture

August 26, 2019 at 05:31 pm

Smith and Smith are getting paid. Everybody else.....Fackrell, Gary, Gilbert et. al. ...are a helluva lot cheaper than Matthews, even with a discount.

6 points
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ThxJackVainisi's picture

August 26, 2019 at 07:06 pm

Old School: "Everybody else... are a helluva lot cheaper than Matthews, even with a discount." Right. Clay wasn’t going to play for near-minimum – nor should he. His cap number is $3.5M this season and $5.75M next season. Subtract 10-15% for the hometown discount and consider his recent injury history and that they’re building for the future and I don’t think keeping Clay made sense. Evidence that they wisely aren’t going “all in” this season (at the expense of the next several seasons) is they waived Daniels in the last year of his contract. IMO he would have been more valuable than Clay this season. As I’ve posted before, I think if Gutekunst, LaFleur, and their staffs know what they’re doing, the title chase(s) begin next season.

3 points
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canadapacker's picture

August 26, 2019 at 01:44 pm

Simplistic view is that he might well have helped. But the clubhouse view - new leadership - built around guys who didnt win the big one except for the QB - it is easy to see why he didnt survive the new regime. So I dont have a problem with his departure even though - yes he could have helped us at the correct price.

3 points
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Spencer2101's picture

August 26, 2019 at 03:09 pm

Why any player is "surprised " with being cut after 2 dismal seasons in a row surprises me. Few without the name Aaron or Davante were safe after last years disaster. You can't tell me they didn't know that. Gute knows we needed a reset, now Josh Jones and Mike Daniels gone too. I agree to a point, lets try to get this defense reset righ with new bloodt. (crosses fingers)

1 points
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dobber's picture

August 26, 2019 at 03:44 pm

Well, not cut. CMIII's contract ran out.

7 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

August 26, 2019 at 05:53 pm

There will more than likely be ten new faces on the defense this year.
It had to be done. The defense was not creating the momentum changing plays to shift the field.

5 points
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lotrcowboy's picture

August 26, 2019 at 10:57 am

Burks & Fackrell were already in place to take Perry/Matthews spots, there was no way the Packers were keeping either guy with poor stats and both oft-injured and missing significant amounts of time.

It's a young man's game and a game of replacement, it was time.

9 points
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Jonathan Spader's picture

August 26, 2019 at 02:03 pm

Good thing Burks isn't oft-injured. CM3's stats wouldn't of looked so bad if he had been credited with the 3 sacks he earned instead of being penalized.

3 points
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Fire_Gute's picture

August 26, 2019 at 06:55 pm

2 sacks, the one penalty was on a interception. And Burks has been injured in both preseasons now, and I think he even got hurt in warm-ups last year.

2 points
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thetoddv's picture

August 26, 2019 at 10:58 am

Clay didn't realize that he hasn't produced much in 4 years and is declining. Even at a "hometown" discount, he's still too expensive for a defense that's trying to get younger and faster. Having said that, I'm sure he'll have a decent year in LA, given their stellar defensive personnel and the fact that its hard to have a worse year than his 2018 campaign.

8 points
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PatrickGB's picture

August 26, 2019 at 12:22 pm

Well said “The”. His skills were declining. I loved the years he played with the Pack. I even liked his commercials. I remember him in the Super Bowl. He is one of my favorite players. But, sadly, his time had come and his skills declined. The team no longer uses the traditional MLB so that option was no longer open. I have no idea what a “ Home town discount” actually means. But in any case he no longer fit the plans for the future.

5 points
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PatrickGB's picture

August 26, 2019 at 12:25 pm

DP

0 points
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TarynsEyes's picture

August 26, 2019 at 11:12 am

I suspect Matthews knew he wasn't remaining in GB before the season ended and now his story is GB didn't even want to discuss a discount but he did. Though he mentions no figure he was willing to accept and likely because he didn't want other teams to know how much less he valued himself and how little GB valued him even with his discount number.

1 points
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LambeauPlain's picture

August 26, 2019 at 11:14 am

In the last 5 years CMIII had his best production at ILB. Then for some reason, MM declared Matthews was going back outside to stay. It was a stubborn declaration and I never understood it.

We may never know if the Packers approached him and his agent this offseason about moving inside but for a lot less money.

But if they did, I could see CMIII saying "thanks but no thanks".

After watching his play the last few seasons, it was clear he was no longer a threat at OLB. Investments in the Smith team and Gary highlighted what the coaches thought about his ability to play OLB.

I still think he could be effective at ILB...too bad.

7 points
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Coldworld's picture

August 26, 2019 at 05:14 pm

Well, let me think, who did MM have at OLB? In his place I would have moved Matthews back to OLB in a shot rather than take Martinez off or play Matthews on an even higher percentage of snaps.

1 points
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4thand10's picture

August 28, 2019 at 11:26 pm

And how many years did Capers waste of Matthews? The last couple of years just flat out sucked. Players make plays but you at least have to have advantageous schemes for players. Also depend on who’s lined up next to him. He also had sacks taken away, but his hurry numbers were still close.The younger faster argument isn’t that solid. I Put very few 1st , 2nd year players in my FF and I finish 1st 2nd or 3rd every year in a very competitive league. If clay has his usual 7-10 sacks this year..... we will know the story.

0 points
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Lare's picture

August 26, 2019 at 12:05 pm

The Packers paid over $50 million in salary last year for Cobb, Matthews, Perry & Daniels while getting very little in return.

It was time to move on.

13 points
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4thand1's picture

August 26, 2019 at 10:52 pm

hammer meet nail

1 points
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GBPDAN1's picture

August 26, 2019 at 12:18 pm

Was Clay willing to take the league minimum? Based on his production lately, that's what he was worth as the Packers needed money to upgrade the roster. It's a hard business. Good luck to Mathews

2 points
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nathanj's picture

August 26, 2019 at 12:51 pm

CM3 would be an upgrade to the Fackrell & Burks level guys, but he still a backup/ situational guy for 2019. 2018 was a down year for him but he still lead the team in pressures and is solid against the run (unlike Fackrell, hate watching him on the ground so much).
However, it’s incredibly difficult for all players (and people) to take less salary and less role from their employer. He probably envisioned a “discount” to $5mm/season, which is obviously more than the market. He got $3.5mm from the Rams, which is more than the Packers should pay for a backup.
He was a great Packer. Thankful he passed through our state. Coglan’s law: everything ends badly, otherwise it wouldn’t end.

2 points
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Coldworld's picture

August 26, 2019 at 01:05 pm

He would not be an upgrade on Burks for what they really want the Burks/Bolton role to do, which is primarily to take the TE/RB in pass coverage in short area.

In more run focused or blitzing circumstances perhaps, but that would prevent Summers hitting the field. Summers is part of our future and is a lot faster.

6 points
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dobber's picture

August 26, 2019 at 01:17 pm

EXACTLY! He could, if needed, drop and cover a little bit, but he's not the player you want on the field next to #51 in obvious passing situations because teams would target him and exploit him. He would not have been playing next to Martinez in base, he would have been backing him up.

4 points
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ricky's picture

August 26, 2019 at 12:55 pm

Matthews signed a two year contract with the Rams for a TOTAL of $6.75 million. His last year with the Packers he made well over $10 million. "Hometown discount"? How much? Either way, time to move on. As noted by others, age, ineffectiveness and injuries all took their toll. He is a shoe-in for the Packers HOF. And I'd welcome him back on a one day contract to retire as a Packer.

1 points
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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

August 26, 2019 at 08:14 pm

CM3 signed for 1 year, $5.5M, and 2 years, $9.25M. He has cap hits of $3.5M (all guaranteed) and $5.75M with $2M guaranteed in 2020.

CM3 could backup Martinez, but Summers might (or might not) be able to do that cheaper. Note that GB didn't know they would even sign Summers when they made the decision on CM3. I suppose CM3 could backup Burks, but I am not persuaded he'd be good there. I am not persuaded that Burks would have been good at Will. GB didn't know they would sign Bolton either when they made the decision on CM3.

GB did know that they were going to target an ILB in the draft or when they signed UDFAs. If not Summers and Bolton, there would have been different guys. I suppose CM3 could be a de facto backup at OLB as well.

Still, $5.5M is low starter money for ILB. IDK, still pricey.

0 points
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Coldworld's picture

August 27, 2019 at 07:07 am

I anticipate that Clay will see less snaps and be used in a situational role. That is better for him now.

We all seem to accept that the Packers need to rebuild the pipeline of young talent and do so within a sustainable cap environment. In addition, Pettine clearly wants players of a different physical type.

Taken together, keeping Matthews would have run counter to the need to retool and develop. It’s not just a cap thing, this is about developing a pool of players for the next 3 to 5 years. The one certainty is that Matthews would not assist with that, and in doing so would hold back the development of others.

Now it comes down to the potential of those we have brought in, but a GM has to plan for multiple years not merely the current one or his team will be bad. It’s not easy to build a roster, but it starts with youth and a pipeline: one can only afford a limited number of marquee salaries, and that forces youth or mediocrity. Youth is therefore essential.

1 points
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4thand10's picture

August 28, 2019 at 11:32 pm

Burke has yet to play serious snaps, and Bolton has flashed in pre season but still no reg season snaps....not much to hang a hat on there. I’d gladly take Clay at ILB at this point because our packers are combing the waiver wires for ILBs right now.

0 points
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Pauly's picture

August 26, 2019 at 01:30 pm

I prefer to hope that Clay does have a successful time out west. Packer players who were told to move on should be thought of highly for their past efforts.
I also would like to see Clay retire as a Packer

9 points
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NickPerry's picture

August 27, 2019 at 06:08 am

Than you Pauly...Well said!

0 points
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Coldworld's picture

August 26, 2019 at 01:52 pm

S Mike Tyson waived injured and CB Jackson Porter signed.

Porter was in Camp with the Ravens in 2018 but seemingly out of football since missing the final cut. The following are from his pro day:

Hand: 09 3/8 Arm: 31 3/8
Wingspan: 76 1/4
Height: 6 ft 1 in
Weight: 200 lbs
40 Yrd Dash: 4.47
20 Yrd Dash: 2.70
10 Yrd Dash: 1.59
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 17
Vertical Jump: 35
Broad Jump: 10'05"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.40
3-Cone Drill: 6.99

5 points
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2
Thegreatreynoldo's picture

August 26, 2019 at 08:15 pm

How do you get dislikes for reporting facts-breaking news? You don't advocate for or against anything here. SMH.

5 points
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Irish_Cheesehead's picture

August 26, 2019 at 01:43 pm

I don't think Clay at ILB was ever in Gute's plans for this season. I think along with the Smiths he was planning on drafting Bush at #10 until Pittsburgh jumped in front of us. That would have really solidified our LB group.

0 points
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2
jeremyjjbrown's picture

August 26, 2019 at 02:14 pm

I'll never forget Clay's play in the Super Bowl. there is a pretty good argument that he should have been Super Bowl MVP. He's a shoe in for the Packers HOF.

That said he had clearly declined, but more important is that the Packers are moving away from that type of OLB to bigger body types in the 270 lbs range. Clay doesn't fit that and honestly wasn't a great fit in Pettine's defense regardless of age.

1 points
2
1
Ryan3468's picture

August 27, 2019 at 12:01 am

AJ Hawk at the end of his career was really, really, really bad. I guess people forget these things. Matthews wasn’t going to be as effective. Obviously it was time to move on. Sure it’s sad. It’s even sadder cutting a younger player who would have had more potential to contribute to the team and the future of the team. Matthews is going to miss games. He is going to be even slower and less powerful than last year. If used on a limited snap count he could have some production. With this team he is going to take snaps from developing players that need to see the field. At the time it was the right call.

-2 points
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Coldworld's picture

August 27, 2019 at 07:10 am

That is a nice statement of the rationale for the mantra that it is better to part a year early as opposed to a year late.

0 points
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Lphill's picture

August 26, 2019 at 03:40 pm

Should have kept him at a discount , I believe he has more to offer than Jimmy Graham, we don’t know what Burks is capable of and I don’t think we will find out this season. I wish him well on the Rams .

-9 points
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Coldworld's picture

August 26, 2019 at 05:17 pm

Does he play Offense well then?

2 points
3
1
ThxJackVainisi's picture

August 26, 2019 at 07:22 pm

Lphill, "Should have kept him at a discount , I believe he has more to offer than Jimmy Graham..." That's a false comparison: Whether they keep Graham this season or not, he counts $12M+ on the salary cap. One thing has nothing to do with the other without considering they play on opposite sides of the ball.

2 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

August 27, 2019 at 01:31 pm

The arrow only points in one direction. Move Forward. Yesterday is dead and gone.

1 points
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ramart103's picture

August 26, 2019 at 04:28 pm

Wish him nothing but the best. Loved his motor! But it kinda sounds like he's making wine with sour grapes.

8 points
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GatorJason's picture

August 26, 2019 at 04:52 pm

Jordy Nelson in 2018. Clay Matthews, Randall Cobb and Mike Daniels in 2019. Next year Jimmy Graham. For every season, turn, turn . . . Even some of the best have to move on once they turn 30. No disrespect to any of them. Thank goodness Aaron Rodgers can still play at 35.

5 points
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Coldworld's picture

August 26, 2019 at 05:16 pm

Cobb was more cost v injury history than age I suspect.

-1 points
1
2
mrj007's picture

August 26, 2019 at 06:26 pm

I fell in love with the hair, the name, how he played. Good luck. But he was overpaid last year. So was Cobb and Perry. I read how Packer's management became complacent and keeping those guys even last year sort of support the article. On to the Bears and new guys and hopefully a stop from the defense on 3rd down.

0 points
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Bizarro's picture

August 26, 2019 at 07:59 pm

Given every imaginable opportunity to make a difference as a pass rusher, Matthews failed.
Every opportunity to make a difference as a complete player, he failed. His best work was as an ILB in his later years but it seemed (a) the coaching staff had other thoughts or (b) Clay didn’t want to be there. I, for one, am extremely glad they moved on. NEXT.

-1 points
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CAG123's picture

August 28, 2019 at 01:00 am

Right you know how people like to flip flop

0 points
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murf7777's picture

August 27, 2019 at 08:19 am

“The time is now”....“Spill it picket” what a great Matthews memory!

1 points
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croatpackfan's picture

August 28, 2019 at 08:28 am

I understand Clay's feeling. He was Packers from the very beginning, he love Green Bay and Wisconsin community, people there...

But, I believe that he did not understood why Packers did not offer him to stay - because the offer would be embarrassing for him. Packers did that kind of offer with Jordy and he was offended. They wanted to overcome that situation. I believe that act of cutting ties with him was because of respect, no other reasons...

0 points
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