Clay Matthews doesn't reach deal with Broncos, still open to playing this season

The Broncos brought in Clay Matthews to see if he would be a good fit to replace Von Miller, who is expected to miss significant time due to injuries, but Matthews' agent Ryan Williams said that the veteran linebacker left without reaching a deal with the team. However, that does not mean that Matthews is looking to retire. He's just willing to wait for the right situation.

"We recently had communication with the Broncos, as we have with other teams during this offseason. We were under the impression that communication would remain private, but since it did not, let me be clear: We were unable to come to an agreement with Denver, but Clay remains open to playing in the NFL in 2020, provided it's the right opportunity for him and his family," Williams said.

Matthews spent his first 10 years in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers, making the Pro Bowl six times and being named a First-Team All-Pro once. Matthews parted ways with the Packers after the 2018 season and signed with the Rams but was released by the team after only one season. Now, Matthews remains a free agent and while he and his agent may try to spin it as him being picky, there's a chance that no team wants to have an aging linebacker on their roster.

But if Matthews is still drawing suitors, perhaps he will find the team that is the right fit for him. Otherwise, he may be headed for retirement, whether he likes it or not.