Clay Matthews on His Untold Packers Departure: The Heartbreak of Not Retiring in Green Bay!

Clay Matthews, one of the most iconic players in Green Bay Packers history, has opened up about the painful departure that still weighs on his heart: his inability to retire as a member of the team that defined his legendary career. As the Packers’ all-time sack leader with 83.5 sacks, Matthews spent over a decade in Green Bay, becoming a household name, a six-time Pro Bowler, and a Super Bowl champion. However, in a candid 2022 interview, Matthews revealed that his greatest regret in football was not finishing his career with the Packers.

“I would have loved to finish my career there,” Matthews shared, reflecting on the sudden and unexpected end to his Packers tenure. His departure from Green Bay in 2018 caught him off guard, especially after the Packers’ front office made no effort to keep him around for what would have been his final season. “The manner in which it did kinda caught me by surprise,” Matthews confessed, admitting that he thought he was still in the team’s plans after a decade of stellar play.

At the end of the 2018 season, Matthews expected that discussions with the Packers would lead to a new contract. Having been a core player for the team through the highs and lows, Matthews thought he had earned the opportunity to return for one final season in Green Bay. However, he soon learned through social media that the team had signed dynamic pass rushers Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith to long-term deals, leaving no room for Matthews to return. The rejection came without a personal conversation or any acknowledgment of his contributions to the team. Matthews was stunned.

“The call came, and they basically said there was no room for me,” Matthews recalled. “I thought I was coming back. It was tough to take, especially the way everything went down.” Matthews ended up signing with the Los Angeles Rams for the 2019 season, where he recorded eight sacks in 13 games. While his stint with the Rams was productive, Matthews couldn’t shake the feeling that his career should have ended in Green Bay, where it all began.

For Matthews, this regret goes beyond just the team’s decision. He had built a deep connection with the Packers’ fanbase, and Lambeau Field was where he truly made his mark. He had won Super Bowl XLV with the team, earned multiple Pro Bowls, and become a symbol of the Packers’ defensive identity. The thought of not getting to retire with the franchise that helped build his legacy left a significant emotional scar. “I miss the camaraderie of the locker room,” Matthews confessed in a 2022 Zoom call, explaining that retirement had been tough, especially without the chance to step off the field in a Packers uniform.

To add insult to injury, the Packers immediately reassigned Matthews’ iconic jersey number 52 to rookie Rashan Gary. Matthews, ever the comedian, jokingly remarked, “The body’s not even cold yet lol,” but it was clear that the move hurt. Fans on social media and forums like Reddit shared their frustration over the way Matthews was treated, feeling that the Packers’ front office had been dismissive of his incredible contributions to the team.

Now, as Matthews reflects on his retirement, which he’s spent focusing on family life and charity work, he has found some peace, especially after being inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 2024. Yet, the lingering disappointment of not retiring as a Packer remains a poignant chapter in his story. Matthews hopes that one day, he’ll be able to retire as a member of the Green Bay Packers, symbolizing closure for both him and the fans who still hold him in such high regard.

Clay Matthews’ story is a powerful reminder of the often difficult and emotional decisions athletes face, even after they’ve given everything to the team. While the Packers may have moved on, Matthews’ legacy will forever be etched in Green Bay’s history, and his heart will always belong to the place where his remarkable career began.