Which NFL Trades should take place during the offseason and what type of return to expect.
With the season winding down, our gaze turns to the 2017 offseason. Besides draft prospects and impending free agents, what NFL Trades could we see?
Clay Matthews, EDGE Green Bay.
The packers dumping one of the cornerstones of their franchise? Matthews has been a truly great player for them and is one of their most marketable stars. So this might seem crazy but really isn’t.
Matthews has been slowing down in various ways for 3 seasons. He’s no longer the top flight defender who can take over a game. He’s still a very good defender but he’s being paid in the top 3 of his position.
He’s only behind Miller and Justin Houston among 3-4 EDGE rushers in average salary. And he’s up for a new contract in 2 seasons. The Packers have a window to move him in the spring of 2017: his dead cap charge drops so that they could save 11 million if he leaves.
The Packers need to shake things up. Especially their defense. If this author was in charge of the franchise, Dom Capers would be shown the door. And then the talent would be to change.
Matthews isn’t the primary problem with the defense. However he isn’t doing enough to hide the rest of the problems. In the past, their lack of secondary talent was hidden by the consistent pass rush. Especially coming from Matthews.
Since that’s dropped off and Shields basically has missed the season, this deficiency has been exposed.
To quote Prop Joe: “I got a proposition for you”: The Packers send Clay Matthews to Pittsburgh for Mike Mitchell, Jesse James and a 3rd round pick.
The Steelers make the deal so that they have 2 talented edge rushers again. Dupree and Matthews would make for an effective duo.
The Packers get a safety to team with Clinton-Dix. A tight end who they know can contribute in the receiving game and a 3rd rounder. They also clear out some cap room to use on a general improvement of the defense.