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Clay Matthews would make sense for the Arizona Cardinals

By Jim Koch

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 29: Clay Matthews #52 of the Los Angeles Rams warms up before playing the Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 29: Clay Matthews #52 of the Los Angeles Rams warms up before playing the Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /
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The biceps injury that has sidelined Chandler Jones has left the Arizona Cardinals with a hole at the outside linebacker spot

The Arizona Cardinals are fearing the worst, At the time of this writing, the team was anxiously awaiting the results of an MRI that their top pass rusher was undergoing on Monday. The biceps injury suffered by Chandler Jones during the Cards 30-10 victory over the New York Jets on Sunday could potentially end the three-time Pro Bowler’s season.

If that dreaded scenario comes to fruition, Arizona would likely look to the free agent market for some help at the outside linebacker spot. It just so happens that there’s an intriguing name who has yet to find a home for the 2020 campaign. A 34-year old veteran who has made a living out of terrorizing opposing quarterbacks since he entered the NFL 11 years ago.

Clay Matthews, a former first-round pick of the Green Bay Packers, is still looking for work. The 26th-overall selection of the 2009 draft was released by the Los Angeles Rams back in March, a couple of months after he had completed his one and only campaign with the Cardinals division rival. Matthews played well for the Rams last fall, racking up eight sacks, 37 tackles and 11 quarterback hits in 13 contests for the club.

Despite his impressive showing, Los Angeles decided to part ways with Matthews this past offseason. It was a cost-cutting move, as the organization saved $3.75 million in salary-cap space by waving goodbye to the California native.

At the moment, the Cards only edge-rushing options are Devon Kennard (currently injured), Dennis Gardeck, Haason Reddick and Kylie Fitts. Gardeck entered the game on Sunday after Jones was sidelined and registered two sacks of Jets quarterback Joe Flacco. However, the 26-year old Gardeck is known primarily for his excellent play on the squad’s special teams unit.

Matthews would provide Arizona with a load of pass-rushing experience. The 6’3, 255 pounder’s 91.5 career sacks is blatant proof of that. It would behoove general manager Steve Keim to make the call, and see what it would take to get Matthews in a Cardinals uniform as soon as possible.

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