Clay Matthews Plans To Be Packers’ Defensive Leader

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Jan 5, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA;Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews (52) reacts after the Packers beat the Minnesota Vikings 24-10 in the NFC Wild Card playoff game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 5, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA;Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews (52) reacts after the Packers beat the Minnesota Vikings 24-10 in the NFC Wild Card playoff game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

Charles Woodson has left the Green Bay Packers and left a void in their defensive leadership. That role is now vacant and looking for a defensive star to step up in 2013. The obvious choice is perhaps linebacker Clay Matthews, and he is ready for the task.

“I think it’s just the natural progression with leadership on this team,” Matthews said, via Rob Reischel of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “Obviously the more comfortable I am in the scheme, which I very much am, the longer I’m here, the more tenured I am, the more I have to take that leadership opportunity. In light of what has happened in the off-season with Charles Woodson departing, the new contract shows trust in my leadership and ability on the field. So you’re going to see that, especially in light of the last few years for our defense. We’re trying to turn it around and get this thing back to where we were when we had the Super Bowl run.”

Matthews is already a captain for the Green Bay Packers and they signed him to a 5 year extension this offseason.