Clay Matthews admits he wanted to retire with the Packers
Former star safety Clay Matthews played his last NFL season in 2019 with the Los Angeles Rams.
Before that, Matthews spent his first 10 seasons with the Green Bay Packers, where he established himself as one of the game’s best outside linebackers. He earned six Pro Bowl selections, two All-Pro nominations, and won a Super Bowl.
Despite that, Matthews couldn’t finish out his career with the Packers, where he built his reputation and legacy. During a recent interview, the former star linebacker expressed that he wanted to play his final season with the Packers.
“I would have loved to finish my career there,” Matthews said Monday as part of a promotional tour for Tide detergent via ESPN. “Based on my discussions after that 2018 season, I thought we were going to continue moving forward. But yeah the manner in which it did kinda caught me by surprise. Ultimately it is what it is. I had fun in my year in L.A. It was a blast getting to go home and play with some incredible players.”
Matthews is held in high regard as one of the top defensive players in Packers’ history. He remains the franchise’s all-time sack leader while being a pillar of the team’s defense throughout his 10-year tenure.
Want $250 to bet on the NFL?
He may not have gotten to finish his NFL career, where spent the bulk of his playing days, but he has forever cemented his place in franchise history. Matthews could still one day earn a Packers’ ring of Honor nomination to further link his name to the organization.
