On the surface, one might think that former Pro Bowler Clay Matthews is nearing the end of his run with the Green Bay Packers.
At 32 years old, the six-time Pro Bowler has not performed up to a previously dominant level in recent years. In fact, Matthews has not recorded double-digit sacks since the 2014 campaign.
Set to become a free agent following the 2018 season, the idea of Green Bay moving on from Matthews has picked up steam.
Though, if we were to ask the pass rusher, that’s unlikely to happen. In talking about his contract situation recently, Matthews noted that his reps have had extension negotiations with the Packers.
“My agency and upstairs have had talks,” Matthews said, via Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette . “We’ll see where it goes. At the same time, I’ll just go out there and do my things and let the pieces fall where they may.”
Matthews also made sure to say that the ball is not in his court, putting pressure on Green Bay’s remade front office in the process.
“I’ve been here going on 10 years, so I’d like to obviously add a few more to that. I’m not in control of that. All I can control is what I do on Sundays, and hopefully it’s a big year.”
Matthews did have his best performance in three seasons last year, putting up 7.5 sacks. It’s also important to note that the Packers have asked Matthews to play inside linebacker at times in recent seasons due to a lack of depth at that position.
If he’s strictly a pass rusher, the veteran remains Green Bay’s best option on that front.