What about Clay Matthews?

What about Clay Matthews?

We’ve come to the conclusion, the Packers should probably honor Randall Cobb’s contract and move on. Do we really want a contract battle with a player we not only love but comes up major in critical situations.

With Matthews, there seems to be a difference in opinion. Packer fans have been extremely verbal about restructuring his contract. Think of it this way, if the Pack reaches out to him, it’s not like he’s going to welcome the organization with open arms. He’s not going to say, “Cool, I was wondering when you guys were going to call and ask me to take a pay cut.”  As we’ve heard time and time again, it’s a business and he’s going to want his money. All of it!

In 2013, Mason Crosby was one of the few players who actually restructured his contract.  Fortunately, for Crosby, his mission was simple; make the field goal and life is good. Basically, the deal made complete sense. It was a smooth transition for both Crosby and the Packers. Ultimately, he regained his rhythm and was able to reclaim his full pay.  No problem.

In the past year, (along with Peppers) Matthews went through the PED allegations with all that Al Jazeera crap. The league found no new evidence and both players were cleared of any wrongdoing.

In 2017, Matthews is expected to make $13.7 million, with incentives it could reach over 15 million.  Including the defensive ends and all outside linebackers, Matthews holds the most expensive contract.

Matthews has become injury prone and has not been the same player of recent years. We all know the NFL can be a crazy business. Even if you were once a serious threat, as soon as you start falling off, you will lose fan support quickly, especially when you are receiving top dollar, as Clay most definitely is.  

Now that Matthews has been cleared and doesn’t need shoulder surgery, this means he should be ready OTA’s and minicamp instead of rehabbing. That’s a big plus.

That being said, much like Cobb, should the Pack move on and live with Matthews or approach him to restructure with a more incentive based contract?  Or, should Ted simply trade him and see what comes of it?  

In my opinion, we are a better defense with him on the field than off. I’m just not sure he’s worth that kind of ching. Thoughts?

#DHPF

JoeyT