Green Bay Packers Should Take a Chance on Jordan Matthews

The wide receiver position for the Green Bay Packers has been very unproductive this season and taking a chance on the recently released Jordan Matthews may not be a bad idea.

Even before the season began, there were concerns from many in regards to the Green Bay Packers’ wide receiver position. We didn’t know who was going to step up and be the number two receiver behind Davante Adams, and overall it was a relatively inexperienced group.

Unfortunately through 11 games many of those concerns still remain and the production over the last month from the receivers not named Adams has been quite underwhelming. Over their three game stretch prior to the bye week against Kansas City, Los Angeles, and Carolina – Geronimo Allison, Jake Kumerow, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Allen Lazard accounted for only 22 receptions for 222 yards – or just over 10 yards per catch – and no touchdowns.

However as unproductive as those games were, their performance on Sunday night against San Francisco takes the cake. Those four receivers would combine for five receptions for 23 yards. That’s less than five yards per catch and of course, no touchdowns. At this point it is clear that Aaron Rodgers doesn’t have anywhere to go with the ball and he is also lacking confidence.

Over the last couple of weeks, the Chargers and 49ers have put the blue print to slowing this Packers’ offense on tape for everyone else around the league to see. When opposing defenses are able to take away Adams and take the Packer running backs out of the passing game, Green Bay really struggles to move the ball through the air.

It’s obvious that the receiver position needs help, so GM Brian Gutekunst should strongly consider taking a chance on the recently released Jordan Matthews who was just waived by the Philadelphia Eagles.

There is a little familiarity between Matthews and the Green Bay Packers. When he was a free agent prior to the 2018 season, he came to Green Bay for a visit before ultimately signing back with Philadelphia.

This season however, Matthews began with San Francisco before he was cut at the end of October. He was then recently signed by Philadelphia where he would appear in their last two games, but caught only four of the 12 passes thrown his way. With that said, he was a big part of the offense, playing in 62 offensive snaps against New England and 72 against Seattle, which was the most by any of the Eagles’ skill players.

Over his career Matthews is averaging 12 yards per catch, while hauling in 65 percent of his passes, with 22 touchdowns. And although he primarily lines up outside, he does play in the slot as well, taking 20 snaps there during his two games in Philly. He could provide the Packers with another alternative to Allison who has been the primary slot receiver this season but has really struggled.

Although Matthews has bounced around the last two plus seasons and hasn’t found the same success as he had from 2014 to 2016 where he averaged 75 receptions per season, along with 891 yards and over six touchdowns, the Green Bay Packers desperately need help at receiver. And after the receiving core’s performance over the last four games, why not take a chance on Jordan Matthews?

All stats via Pro Football Reference, Pro Football Focus, ESPN