5 free-agent LB Cleveland Browns should sign to replace Mack Wilson

4. Clay Matthews

Our own Chad Porto made the case as to why the Browns should take on the 37-year-old veteran. Sure, he’s a future Hall of Famer, and the Browns won’t be getting the player that accrued all those stats, but Matthews can still cause problems at linebacker, as well as on the edge as a pass rusher.

Fans, writers and talk show hosts have been making the Matthews connection to Cleveland ever since Christian Kirksey was released. It amplified after Joe Schobert signed a free-agent deal with the Jags and, when the Browns waited until late in the third round to draft Jacob Phillips, it seemed like signing Matthews was a given.

Nothing happened though, which makes you wonder what’s going on. Perhaps the Browns aren’t interested. Matthews is old and the analytically driven front office doesn’t sign a lot of old guys. Perhaps Matthews’ asking price is too high–that’s hard to believe, and it’s not a good excuse, either.

The Browns are loaded with cap space and need help at this position. No one is saying invest Myles Garrett-type money in Matthews, just get him here to help for 2020!