When you watch someone play for 10 or so years in a Packer uniform, it is difficult not to be a little saddened by their departure. While not yet cast in stone(to the best of my knowledge), it looks like this past weekend’s loss to the Lions could be the end of Matthews with the Packers – a player that otherwise had a fantastic career with the team.

Clay Matthews had the following to say about the situation:

“Yes, obviously, I’d love to come back and be a part of this team but, at the same time, it’s really not up to me. I’m familiar with the team [and] the city. My kids are doing awesome out here, we love the people, we’re settled here. It would be awesome if we stayed. But, as I continue to say, these are uncharted times and we’ll see what the future holds.” Coming off, I thought perhaps this could be my last time exiting the field, so that’s obviously a little bittersweet. I made sure to give some fans some high-fives, wave to my parents up in the suite and carried on. The kids will be waiting for me, wife, family, and I’ll carry on as dad.”

The bottom line is that, at the end of the day, the NFL is a business that is concerned with its own bottom line. With a base salary of ~$10 million, this 32 year old OLB is an expensive one. Especially considering his numbers this year: 43 tackles & 3.5 sacks over 16 games. That officially makes this season his worst with the team. He will be entering free agency at the conclusion of this season and it does not seem like he is likely to return next year.

Here is a great fan made video of the highlights of his career with the Packers(a bit old but still worth watching – It has shitty music but that is par for the course on You Tube so nothing new there):