Clay Matthews is not the answer for the Cleveland Browns at linebacker

Clay Matthews is not the answer for Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns second-year linebacker Mack Wilson went down yesterday in camp with what we now know is a hyperextended knee. What we don’t know is how long he will be out.

According to reports, all options are on the table, including possible season-ending surgery. The potential of losing Wilson for the season has Browns fans looking to free agency to trades for options to replace the young linebacker.

However, one prominent name seems to be getting the most buzz among Cleveland fans? Clay Matthews III.

The Nostalgia of Clay Matthews

The name Clay Matthews immediately brings back great memories for Browns fans, as it should. Clay Matthews Jr. spent 16 years with the team as part of some great teams in the ’80s. The older Matthews still holds multiple franchise records in sacks (62), solo tackles (1430), and forced fumbles (24).

Matthews Jr.’s son has been a great player in his own right for ten seasons, mostly with the Packers. Matthews III has racked up 519 combined tackles and 91.5 sacks over those ten years. He has also been a six-time pro bowler, one-time all-pro, and won a Superbowl, all in his time with the Packers.

Matthews 2019 Season

Matthews is coming off a season with the Los Angeles Rams in which he had eight sacks but struggled down the stretch with only one sack and one tackle for loss in the Rams last seven games of the season.

According to Pro Football Focus(subscription required), Matthews graded 94th overall (54.5) out of 103 edge defenders graded. Matthews was also 102nd out of 103 in coverage and 80th in run defense during the 2019 season.

Eight sacks are helpful if the Browns are looking for a rotational edge defender in addition to a linebacker, it does not solve the Mack situation. If you are looking for a linebacker to help the defense in the absence of Wilson, Matthews is not the answer. At 34 years old, he is no longer the athlete he once was, and placing him as a primary linebacker, or even a depth piece at the position, would provide nothing more than a younger player could provide.

The Options

While nostalgia may be ruling the fan base, the Cleveland Browns front office needs to focus on filling a need with the right player. At this point, the Browns would be better off staying away from most of the higher-priced free agents left. If the Browns can swing a trade that brings in a solid option then great.

They may be stuck finding a camp body and hoping that something shakes out once teams start to whittle down their rosters for the start of the season.