Aaron Rodgers Shuts Door On Former Packers LB's Return To Green Bay

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Recent social media posts from a few Green Bay Packers players had the fan base buzzing about a possible comeback for former star linebacker Clay Matthews to come out of retirement and join the team in 2021. But according to star quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the posts were more of a joke involving him, offensive lineman David Bakhtiari and wide receiver Randall Cobb.

“Friday night, I was with Dave and his lovely fiancé, Frankie, and the Cobbs,” Rodgers said, according to USA Today. “And we had a question about Clay that came up, because Clay just moved from California. So, we got Clay on FaceTime. Those conversations turned into a social media post. There hasn’t been, I don’t think, a big push from any of us to sign him. We didn’t even talk ball. We were just BS-ing with him. Having a good conversation. He’s a big farmer now, kind of like Jordy (Nelson). He’s probably got that strength to play but I don’t think he’s thought about football for a while.”

A first-round pick for the Packers out of USC in 2009, Matthews played all but one year of his career in Green Bay. Matthews made it to six Pro Bowls, was All-Pro twice and was part of the Packers’ win in Super Bowl XLV. Matthews played 2019 with the Los Angeles Rams before retiring from football.

The chatter started, of course, because of Cobb’s return to Green Bay during this offseason. Cobb started his career with the Packers in 2011 and remained there through 2018, becoming one of Rodgers’ favorite targets during the prime of his career. During Rodgers’ offseason issues with Green Bay, one of his demands was to bring back Cobb to the receiving corps, according to Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst.

“I think that’s a big part of it,” Gutekunst said in late July, according to ESPN. “Obviously without Aaron, I don’t think we would probably be pursuing that. Randall’s still a really good player. Seeing him last night just kind of reminded me what an impact he’ll have in our locker room and for our football team. But this was a very important thing for Aaron, and that’s why we did it.”

Rodgers and the Packers recently agreed to a reworked contract that changed the timeline on his future with the team. Many insiders are predicting the 2021 season will be the final one that Rodgers plays with Green Bay.

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The Packers started out the 2021 preseason with a 26-7 loss to the Houston Texans. Green Bay will face the New York Jets on Saturday afternoon at home.

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