Top available free agents for Tampa Bay Buccaneers to sign
By Rob Leeds
Clay Matthews is a name that has been closely tied to the Buccaneers for several weeks now. As a player and as a leader, Matthews is a clear fit for Tampa Bay as the third outside linebacker on the depth chart.
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The Buccaneers already have a talented pair of pass rushers in Shaquil Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul, but even players of their talent need a rest from time to time. Barrett and JPP rarely played less than 75% of the defensive reps per game, but for that remaining 25 % of snaps and in case of an injury, it would pay off to have an additional veteran on hand.
Matthews brings a surprising amount of versatility to the table and is skilled against the pass and rushing the passer. In 2019, the 33-year old linebacker was able to post eight sacks and three passes defended with the LA Rams.
Tampa Bay doesn’t need Matthews to be an every-down guy, but they do need him to be able to keep up the pressure if JPP or Barrett are out of the game. Maintaining a consistent pass rush will be imperative, especially for a team with playoff hopes.
Clay Matthews would step in as the third linebacker alongside Anthony Nelson. Nelson could move into the third role down the road, but for the time being, Matthews is the better option for 2020.
Based on last season’s salary and the attractiveness of Tampa Bay as a landing spot, Matthews is a perfect fit based on his skill and his relatively low price. The Bucs could probably find their veteran depth for around three million dollars and would not need to restructure any deals to make this signing happen.