Why not roll the dice on Clay Mathews?

Now that everyone is Practice Squad eligible, why not bring in Clay Matthews let him sit on the Practice squad for a few weeks getting back into football shape and learning the system and then put him on the field and kick the tires.

I never thought I would see the Steelers make a move at the trade deadline, and their they were this year bringing in Williamson at the trade deadline. So is a late season pickup out of the question?

Why not bring in a veteran like Matthews and see what he has left. Let him backup both Watt and Highsmith if he proves himself ready to go.

 

8 sacks 2 ff last year not bad

 

Matthews is not going to agree to sit on the practice squad. He had an offer from the Broncos earlier in the season after they lost Miller but they couldn’t agree terms. I doubt he needs the money so it’ll be about the situation for him. Joining an 11-0 team might be attractive but who knows what he is looking for.

Steelers have about $6m cap room afaik. Depending on what Matthews is looking for it wouldn’t be a bad signing as long as he has kept himself in good shape and is ready to go.

 

I think it could be one of the better moves under the circumstamces. He played well last year for the Goats and has had time to recover from his smashed face.
How does that work, if someone is signed from outside the organization vs. PS, don’t they have to go through the Covid protocol? How long until he could be available?

 

Honestly, my first thought as well. Really depends on what kind of football shape he's in.

 

I know SDOT will hammer me for this but I would rather sign Silverback than to see what Clay Mathews III has to offer. In all honesty though, lets get away from the nostalgia and see what the next man up brings to the team. So far Spillane is filling in for Bush better than expected. Highsmith may just do the same as DuPree's back up.

 

Thought I heard Clay would only come back to a contender, Denver sucks I wouldn't have signed with them either.

 

They brought in Sharref Miller, former Penn State DE as well as a backup center and OL for a try out. So why contact a proven commodity when there are guys that couldn't catch on to a squad available.

 

Your wish could come true it this is real.
https://steelersdepot.com/2020/12/j...p-of-him-getting-examined-by-steelers-doctor/

 

I thought that was debunked yesterday as Harrison trolling Steelers fans and the only reason he was in Pittsburgh at a doctors office was because that is where his doctor is at. In a city of bridges I think he has burned every one and no way can he and Tomlin coexist in the same locker room

 

You may be right. SDOT has a thread that is going on 3+ pages on this same subject that I just saw a little while ago. .

 

No on Matthews. If Steelers can win with Spillane replacing Bush... Steelers can win with Highsmith replacing Dupree.

With that said... if we lost Watt, Heyward or Fitzpatrick... we'd be screwed.

 

Yeah maybe Tomlin will promise him some playing time and fans can get all worked up whenever he sleeps in meetings and goes rogue.

 

So what you are saying is we would go from being Doomed to being Screwed?

 

The loss of Bush has hurt the defense. Look at what the run defense was doing before he was hurt and what it has been like since then. Part of that is playing the Ravens twice, but that doesn't account for all of the drop off. The loss of Dupree is going to hurt at least as much, and it isn't just the pass rushing skills they will miss. Highsmith lacks experience, so teams may be able to catch him out of position. He has very little experience in pass coverage, something Dupree does well.

Dupree was also helping to cover for Spillane's weaknesses. This also means more snaps for Adeniyi, who hasn't done much at all.

 

So old, out-of-game-shape Clay Matthews would do better? I don't think so.

 

Ever since the Titans game, Spillane looks like he gets washed out of quite a few running plays. I think we need to see what Avery has got eventually.

 

He has the same problem VWill does, he jumps the first gap he sees and gets swallowed up in the block

 

We're gonna row with who's in our boat!

 

I didn't say he would. Perhaps Matthews could bring some value as a situational pass rusher. They need a third body who can actually rush the passer at outside linebacker. Adeniyi certainly hasn't shown he can do that when the games count. My point was that you seemed to be underestimating the impact of the loss of both Bush and Dupree.

 

Exactly. I've been saying all along that they are too similar. He makes some exciting plays, but they really miss having that inside guy who can pursue sideline-to-sideline. That, not pass coverage, was what they needed that Bush gave them.

 

I agree, it is not like Matthews has not played for several seasons. We are getting to crunch time in what can be a very special year. I would at least make the call, and sign him in a minute if he passes a physical. Not even thinking so much the regular season, though in that time he can surely get in shape and learn the system. He played in GB, tough, bad weather proven. Had good stats last year behind a very good D line. Next man up is great, but sometimes look outside the box to cover that next man up.

 

We won't know the impact of the Dupree loss until we see the Football Team, Bills, Bengals games, etc.

 

Tell the NFL executives that JJ's Mom said that he wants to play with TJ and Derek.
It would be a feel good story for Super Bowl pregame show.


I would almost guarantee a Super Bowl win.