Like Eric Weddle, Clay Matthews didn’t sign with the Los Angeles Rams because they had the biggest offer on the table. It was everything else – from their current roster to Sean McVay’s coaching style – that drew them to the City of Angels.

Weddle said he had the chance to sign several other deals for far more money than the Rams offered, but he liked his fit in L.A. and his chances of winning a Super Bowl. as it turns out, Matthews was in a similar situation.

According to NFL.com’s Mike Silver, who spoke to Matthews at length, the Ravens offered Clay more money than the Rams did.

Once free agency began, Matthews had his sights set on L.A., even though the Rams weren’t offering nearly as much money as he’d hoped to earn on the open market. Though the Ravens offered more, Matthews ultimately favored the Rams‘ two-year, $9.25 million deal, which includes $5.5 million in guarantees and, with incentives, could be worth as much as $16.75 million. His previous deal with the Packers, which expired after 2018, averaged $13 million a year over five seasons.

Matthews talked to Silver about his split with the Packers. He painted a clear picture of how Green Bay had no interest in bringing him back, even at a reduced cost. Matthews said he thought he’d “always be back there, whether it was at a cheaper price [or not].”

Even before he signed on the dotted line with the Rams, Matthews and his agent went back to the Packers to see if they’d be interested in essentially matching Los Angeles’ offer. The Packers declined and Matthews had found his new home.

“Really, if I had a list of 100 things as far as why I would sign out here, everything was a check — except for my ego from taking a pay cut, you know?” Matthews said. “Whereas like any other team we talked to, perhaps it wasn’t best for the kids or it was hard for my family to travel or there was some other issue.”

The Rams were a perfect match for Matthews. He’s from Southern California, played his college ball in the same stadium the Rams play in now, and is trying to win a Super Bowl on an already-loaded team. And the chance to play in Wade Phillips’ scheme was another plus, too.

“I just want to play,” Matthews said. “One of the things I’ve said from early on is that [Phillips] allows his playmakers to play to their abilities. And for me, it’s that wild-card factor — taking shots, taking calculated risks — whereas I felt I was a little handcuffed last year.”

Matthews will be a starting outside linebacker for the Rams this season, while also playing some inside linebacker. As a veteran leader with a decade of experience, he’s a great fit in Los Angeles.