Bruce Arians Acknowledges Interest In Clay Matthews
September 11th, 2020
The Buccaneers’ collection of big names could get bigger, but it would take a problem or a fresh awakening.
That was the message from Bucco Bruce Arians today during his noon chat with Joe and local reporters.
The Sage of Tampa Bay Sports, Ira Kaufman, asked Arians about whether he was interested in former Pro Bowl 3-4 linebacker Clay Matthews, who racked up eight sacks last season for the Rams.
Arians said Matthews was talked about at One Buc Palace but cited money as a problem. It’s common knowledge the Bucs are squeezed very tight up to the salary cap. It’s unclear how much Matthews wants for his 12th NFL season.
Arians also said he likes his current collection of backup linebackers more than 34-year-old Matthews and that signing Matthews would mean the loss of a special teams player because a grizzled veteran wouldn’t play there. But Arians’ voice perked up saying he’d definitely be interested in Matthews if the Bucs had an injury.
Like with nearly everything in the NFL, today’s truth is tomorrow’s fiction. So how the Bucs feel about Matthews could change a lot after their first two games.
September 11th, 2020 at 12:57 pm
So the first game of the season has been played and Clay Matthews isn’t on an NFL roster yet? Hmmmmm…
September 11th, 2020 at 1:05 pm
Ronde played special teams his whole career. I’m not sure why vets are not required to do so – in particular if they’re depth signings. If they don’t want to play special teams, then sure, don’t sign them – but I’d at least ask.
September 11th, 2020 at 1:11 pm
Yawn…no thanks
September 11th, 2020 at 1:19 pm
Jason he just taking some time off. Lots of proven players do it and skip Training Camp.
He knows somebody will ring his phone. And they probably already have. Another benefit for him is he can latch onto a team that’s playing good football and has a legitimate title shot.
September 11th, 2020 at 1:51 pm
Spot on Jimmy
September 11th, 2020 at 2:16 pm
Broncos signed him yesterday
September 11th, 2020 at 2:17 pm
Welp nevermind lmao they didnt get a deal done
September 11th, 2020 at 2:46 pm
They tried. Everyone in the NFL will tell you Vic Fangio is a helluva defensive coach. And he wanted Matthews.
Joe will just let that soak in for a while.
September 11th, 2020 at 3:17 pm
Expect us to Sign Clay Matthews (Vested Veteran) after week one
September 11th, 2020 at 3:27 pm
This past rush is most effective when JJP Kicks inside on Passing downs.
You add another legitimate edge rusher to the mix….Look out!
Snapshot:
LOLB Shaquil Barrett
LDE Ndamukong Suh
NT Vita Vea
RDE Jason Pierre-Paul
ROLB Clay Matthews
September 11th, 2020 at 3:28 pm
<em*passrush
September 11th, 2020 at 3:49 pm
Sign this dude Licht! The Joe’s have been preaching all week (probably longer) that good teams like the Saints, Ravens, etc. find a way to reel in a good veteran this time of the year. It’s now or never peeps! Licht, Arians and the rest of the massive coaching staff are toast if we don’t win like, now.
September 11th, 2020 at 4:59 pm
Best 12yr linebacker on the market is like being the best lookin girl in the trailer park
September 11th, 2020 at 5:32 pm
He isn’t signing because if he waits until after week one to sign, the Rams are responsible for the contract that he signed with them and not the team he signs with.
September 11th, 2020 at 6:06 pm
When U can’t draft..
September 11th, 2020 at 7:21 pm
Where’s the interest?
It seemed that BA respectfully said “no”…
Gotta get those posts in though.
September 12th, 2020 at 2:22 pm
As I said before. Special teams. You don’t have a backup OLB on the team that doesn’t play special teams. Roster building 101.