Minnesota Vikings sign Casey Matthews

By Ryan Ratty | Mar 24, 2015

Oct 2, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; A Minnesota Vikings helmet sits on the sidelines during warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 42-10. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Casey Matthews, formerly of the Philadelphia Eagles, is now a member of the Minnesota Vikings.

With the Philadelphia Eagles signing Brad Jones and trading for Kiko Alonso over the past month, it really comes as no surprise at all that they decided to go another direction at the linebacker position. With the Eagles not re-signing Clay Matthews, one NFL team was going to sign Casey Matthews. Although he isn’t an every-down starter, Matthews is a solid role player and he has contributed on special teams as well over the course of his career.

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After Jasper Brinkley signed with the Dallas Cowboys, the Minnesota Vikings had a spot open in their linebacker corps, so it didn’t come as a surprise when they signed him in free agency.

According to Vikings.com, the Vikings have officially signed Matthews. With the Vikings signing Matthews, the linebacker will now get to face his brother, Clay Matthews of the Green Bay Packers, two times a year.

Vikings’ beat writer Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press talked about Matthews and his PFF grade.

Among inside LBs last year Pro Football Focus rated Jasper Brinkley No. 16 of 60 & Casey Matthews No. 47. Brinkley 471 snaps, Casey 437
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) March 24, 2015

Before the 2011 NFL Draft, Matthews said that he met with Vikings’ head coach Mike Zimmer. Here what’s the Oregon product had to say about him.

"“I was fortunate enough to have Coach Zimmer coach me in the Senior Bowl, so that was my first opportunity to get to know him and what type of defense he runs,” Matthews said. “I’m just looking forward to being part of it. He’s highly respected around the league, and former players who have played for him have said they enjoyed playing for him, that he’s intense but will tell you like it is and he’s likeable.”"

With Matthews coming to Minnesota, he will seemingly take over the starting linebacker spot Brinkley played last year. Whether it’s inside linebacker or outside linebacker, Matthews has experience at both, and in Zimmer’s defense, where athleticism and versatility is so greatly needed, Matthews will most certainly have a spot in Minnesota.

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