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Packers want to move Clay Matthews back to OLB

Published: Jan 18, 2016 at 11:11 AM

Gregg Rosenthal

NFL Daily Host

Mike McCarthy and most Packers fans have something in common: They want the Clay Matthews experiment at inside linebacker to end.

McCarthy said that his "goal" is for Matthews to return to outside linebacker next season where he is a "great weapon" and "so destructive."

Matthews spent most of the last season and a half playing on the inside to mixed results. It was a move of necessity based on the Packers' thin options at inside linebacker, and the Packers doubled down by using Matthews at inside linebacker almost exclusively.

Defensive coordinator Dom Capers said that Matthews did an "outstanding job" this season, but they wouldn't be moving him back outside if it was the best use of his skills. On the outside, Matthews was one of the most consistent game-wreckers in the NFL. He developed into a better player in pass coverage during this season, but he didn't stand out. Occasionally he disappeared for a week or two.

ProFootballFocus graded Matthews as an average player overall at his position, which is lower than we'd expect. But there is no denying that Matthews' impact was diminished over the last season and a half. McCarthy knows it, and that's a good start to fixing the Packers' front seven.

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