Clay Matthews responds to reports that he turned down an offer from Broncos

Clay Matthews will not join the Denver Broncos.

The Denver Broncos were forced to hit the panic button just days before the start of the 2020 regular season, as star pass rusher Von Miller is likely out for the season after sustaining a nasty ankle injury. Vic Fangio and Denver did kick the tires on six-time Pro Bowler Clay Matthews as a potential replacement, but the teams were unable to come to any sort of agreement.

While Matthews wasn’t able to come to an agreement with the Broncos, the former All-Pro took exception with Adam Schefter reporting that he told Denver he was refusing to play for them. While Matthews will not wear blue and orange this season, it seems like he is still pursuing an NFL opportunity in 2020.

https://twitter.com/ClayMatthews52/status/1304080395206496258

Clay Matthews had a bit of a down season with the Los Angeles Rams in 2019

Due to both his age and the team’s financial commitments, the former USC star’s return to Los Angeles with the Rams only lasted one season. His eight sacks were solid, but his 37 tackles were the second-fewest he recorded in his career and the fewest he totaled in a season in which he played at least 13 games. Considering how he used to be one of the game’s truly elite linebackers with the Green Bay Packers over the last decade, his fall from grace was a bit hard to watch.

There is a role for Matthews in the NFL, as his versatility and relentless drive are both plus traits that teams in need of some veteran moxie could look for. However, Fangio will need to look for internal replacement options after the Matthews deal fell through.

While Denver’s offense will be must-see TV in 2020, their defense could fall off a cliff, as they not only lost Miller, but failed to replace him with a Pro Bowler like Matthews.