NFL Rumors: Why NY Giants should sign Clay Matthews for stretch run

Why Clay Matthews can still play a meaningful role with the NY Giants

Clay showed the NFL last year why he was once an annual NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidate. He signed a one-year deal with LA and he made the very best of his snaps and situation.

Despite only seeing 70% of his team’s snaps once, Matthews racked up seven sacks through his first six games with the Rams. He ended the year with 8 sacks, 37 tackles, nine tackles for a loss, 11 QB hits, and two forced fumbles. He also had two pass deflections, reminding us he can still drop back in coverage.

Despite seeing limited snaps, Matthews is a menace for every opposing offensive linemen. He’s very smart and he knows so many offensive pass blocking moves and skills that he counters and sheds with such a gifted arsenal of pass rush tools to get by, through, or around offensive tackles.

Just look at his career vs the NY Giants and it shows you the impact he’s had on games throughout his career. He pick-sixed Eli Manning to help the Packers remain undefeated in 2011, and also sacked Manning in the 2016 NFC Wild Card game in Lambeau. To make matters worse, the Matthews sack put an end to the game himself as he stripped the ball from Eli’s hands before infamously exploding into a sorry Paul Perkins and knocking him to the ground before picking up the ball and securing the win for the Packers.

Clay Matthews plays like a man possessed and he often rises to the occasion in the biggest games and brightest moments. He has 11 career sacks in 15 playoff games through 11 seasons. While he isn’t the same player he once was, he can still clearly add much talent and experience for any team looking for help off the edge.