Green Bay Packers: Have Randall Cobb and Clay Matthews earned another contract?

The Green Bay Packers will have tough decisions to make on two savvy veterans, Randall Cobb and Clay Matthews, this offseason.

Former Pro-Bowl wide receiver Randall Cobb and 2010 defensive player of the year Clay Matthews have expiring deals at the end of 2018. Both have had shining moments during the season, but it is it enough for the Green Bay Packers to bring them back next year?

There are three games left, however, there’s plenty body of work to review each of their seasons. For starters, Cobb has missed six games because of a hamstring injury he suffered in week 4.

Cobb had a nice start to the season catching nine passes for 142 yards and the game-winning touchdown against the Chicago Bears in week one. Since though, he really hasn’t been the same. Cobb rushed back too soon in week eight taking on the Los Angeles Rams totaling 40 yards on four catches. He tried to play through the injury again the next week against the New England Patriots. He had a minimal impact recording five catches for 24 yards.

Cobb went on to miss the following three games to allow his injury to completely heal.

“I think I might have pushed myself to come back a little too early and re-injured it, obviously,” Cobb said earlier this season.

He’s appeared in the past two games totaling eight receptions for 68 yards, including a touchdown last week against the Atlanta Falcons. Cobb is proven to be a viable asset to the offense considering the chemistry he has with Rodgers. Although, he will turn 29 before the 2019 season is underway which may outweigh another contract.

His market value has diminished the last few years after he’s failed to stay healthy or live up to the 1,200-yard season he had in 2014. He’s making $10 million annually at the moment but would be lucky to get $7 million on his next contract. Cobb is not the only receiver Green Bay will have to make a decision on with Geronimo Allison‘s rookie deal ending as well.

Allison fits well with the team’s plan of getting bigger and longer at receiver. He is 6-3 compared to Cobb who is 5-11 and is much younger having only turned 24 in January. It’s quite possible Allison is resigned instead of Cobb given his build, youth, and cheaper price tag.

On defense, Matthews has been extremely difficult to grade for much of the season. Some games he’s hardly noticeable while in others he shows flashes of explosiveness similar to his old self.

His numbers aren’t great as he’s only racked up 3.5 sacks all year despite playing in every game. However, earlier this season, Matthews was targeted by the NFL as a frequent offender of the revitalized roughing the passer guidelines which may have affected his production. As of late, he’s been able to regain his effectiveness, especially against the run.

Matthews is known primarily as a pass rusher and ranks fifth in terms of annual salary among outside linebackers. His big payday is likely a thing of the past, but the Packers can’t rule out bringing him back for the right price. Matthews is on record stating he would prefer to remain in Green Bay.

“I’d love to finish my career here,” Matthews said last week according to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “My family has taken to the city, my kids are thriving. Furthermore, I’d just like to finish here.”

Both players saw their head coach get fired this season and understand business is business as usual and nothing is guaranteed. Whichever direction Green Bay decides to take it will be interesting to see how they handle these two veterans.