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3 Free agent linebackers Cleveland Browns could sign once training camp begins

By Randy Gurzi

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 24: Mychal Kendricks #56 of the Seattle Seahawks looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 24, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 24: Mychal Kendricks #56 of the Seattle Seahawks looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 24, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 25: Outside linebacker Clay Matthews #52 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on from the bench during the fourth quarter of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 25, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

2. Clay Matthews

This is a name that will continually be tied to the Cleveland Browns if for nothing more than nostalgia. Clay Matthews, III is the son of one of the best — if not the best — linebacker the Browns have ever had. Clay Matthews, Jr. played for 19 seasons in the NFL, and the first 16 were spent with Cleveland.

He is their all-time tackling leader and also had 62 sacks in his career. One of the more versatile defenders, Matthews, Jr. even recorded 14 picks for the Browns. He’s also part of one of the best NFL families as his brother Bruce Matthews is in the Hall of Fame after a long career as an offensive tackle. Matthews also had two kids make the NFL as Clay Matthews, III has been in the league since 2009 and his younger brother Casey Matthews had a brief career.

As for Matthews III, he looks to play at least one more season after spending last year with the Los Angeles Rams. That followed a 10-year stint with the Green Bay Packers that led to him earning six trips to the Pro Bowl and a Super Bowl ring.

Matthews is very versatile as he can play a traditional linebacker role while also rushing the passer. He moved from the inside to the outside linebacker spot in the Green Bay 3-4 defense and excelled in both areas.

He had four seasons with double-digit sacks and even at the age of 33, he put up eight sacks for the Rams in 2019. He might not be an every-down linebacker anymore but he proved he can still bring the heat when used correctly.

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