Youth Movement aside I want Clay Mathews.

Heading into this offseason Howie preached youth, and getting younger. He then followed through, allowing Malcolm Jenkins, Jason Peters, Nigel Bradham, Timmy Jernigan, Nelson Agholor, Vinny Curry, Richard Rogers, Corey Clement, Jordan Howard, and Josh McCown test free agency. 

Darius Slay was the only player brought in over 27 years old heading into 2020. They went and grabbed guys coming off of their rookie deals, Javon Hargrave, Will Parks, Jalen Mills, and Hassan Ridgeway. But should all of that stop them from grabbing a pass rushing specialist that played 13 games in 2019, racking up 8 sacks, 37 tackles and 2 forced fumbles? I don't think so. The Eagles seem to like having a veteran as a role player to rotate in their pass rush. First it was Connor Barwin, then Chris Long, then Vinny Curry came back, now I am hoping the Eagles go get Clay Mathews to play strictly as a pass rusher in their wide 9 based 4-3 defense. 

Mathews is 34 years old and likely to sign a 1 year deal, and would love to play for a contender. The NFC is the only conference he has ever known, and likely the only way he has a chance to prove both his past teams wrong for letting him wallow in free agency. Guess who the Eagles play this season? That's right both the Packers and Rams. Also this guy fills a need for the Eagles, they have been looking for another pass rusher they can add to the rotation and speculation was Hargrave would force Jackson into playing more defensive end, but Mathews is a guy who could provide a whole other kind of versatility with his ability to rush the passer from a LB spot, or as an end in a 4 down lineman set. He has played both OLB, and ILB in a 3-4 defense so I don't think it's a stretch to see him play a sort of hybrid pass rushing role for a season before he hangs it up. The Eagles should definitely entertain this thought for several depth reasons. 

Obviously this offseason there has been a lot of talk about targetting linebackers and pass rush help. Why not do both in one move? I am not advocating for Mathews to be a true starting player but he will be basically the opposite of Malik; where Malik plays end and tackle, Mathews can play LB in run situations, and DE in pass situations. He is also another guy you can move around the formation to create mismatches. The 6'3 255 lb pass rusher is extremely versatile and would be an asset to this defense. Even at 34 years old.