Making the case for Clay Matthews to the Jets if he hits FA

If Clay Matthews is a salary cap casualty of the Green Bay Packers, the New York Jets should bring him aboard if he hits free agency.

Linebacker Clay Matthews has had a long and historic career so far in the NFL with nine years calling the Green Bay Packers home. Unfortunately, the NFL is a business as believe it or not, the Packers are considering cutting Matthews due to the salary cap savings they’d get back.

If the Packers use the potential out clause in his current contract, they can add $11 million to their salary cap, as per Spotrac.com. If that happens and Matthews decides to test the free agency market, he would make a lot of sense for the New York Jets.

At the end of the day, experience is the name of the game and even though Matthews doesn’t resemble the dominating linebacker he once was, he still has some gas left in the tank. The Jets could bring him into the mix on a one or two-year contract to serve as a bridge kind of player while also helping the younger linebackers around him hone their craft.

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Considering that current linebackers coach Kevin Greene has worked with Matthews in the past when he was with the Packers, means an interesting situation for both sides to consider. Last year with the Packers, Matthews totaled 27 tackles, 7.5 sacks, and one forced fumble.

Matthews has experience in every linebacker position and would bring some much-needed pass rush to the Jets defense. If for some reason the Jets also fail to bring back potential free agent linebacker Demario Davis, Matthews might be a suitable replacement due to being a veteran of the game that does indeed come with a Super Bowl championship to his credit.

In the grand scheme of things, Matthews realistically has another year or two left before he considers retirement. If he’s able to spend it with his former linebackers coach and mentor Greene, it would be a favorable situation that could help the Jets continue rebuilding the right way. Matthews is a leader of men and would undoubtedly make an impact the moment he hits the gridiron if he’s able to land on the Jets next season.