"It was the first time I had somebody to bounce ideas off of, talk to and have some really good wisdom from someone besides the coaching staff," said Matthews in an interview with packers.com in December 2016. "So for him to always be able to do that not only to make big play after big play, but also that kind of leader, not just in our room but from our entire defense, I think that's what he kind of embodies. What he represents for us and he represents that as a defensive captain not only with what he does on the field but with his resume."