The wait is finally over.
After speculation that Green Bay was to offer Matthews and Aaron Rodgers both major contract extensions, the Packers have at least locked up their star linebacker. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport first broke the news of the contract extension Wednesday.
The Packers defensive standout tweeted a “real hot pic” earlier this afternoon announcing the news. “Trivial amongst the recent tragic news, but happy to continue my career in Green Bay,” via Matthews’ Twitter.
According to Albert Breer of NFL.com, the deal is said to be a five-year agreement that will play Matthews over $13 million per season. This deal makes Clay Matthews the highest-paid linebacker in the NFL, and deservedly so.
Since coming to the league, Matthews has recorded a whopping 55 starts over four seasons. In that time, he has tallied 42.5 sacks, including 13.5 during Green Bay’s Super Bowl winning campaign in 2010. He added another 10 last season. Matthews has developed a reputation as one of the most terrorizing pass rushers in the NFL, and is the anchor on an inconsistent Packer’s D.
The other major piece of the Packers off-season puzzle was locking down their elite signal caller Aaron Rodgers. There was some speculation that the team would offer long-term deals to both players simultaneously. The holdup on Rodgers’ end could be money-related, though there is no evidence to support that. If the rumor of both signing at the same time is true, it should only be a matter of time before the Packers make Aaron Rodgers the richest quarterback in league history.
