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The Green Bay Packers’ newfound interest in free agency continued into the second week of the new league year. In addition to reportedly bringing back veteran corner Tramon Williams, the team has met with wide receiver Jordan Matthews, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Matthews spent this past year with the Buffalo Bills, catching 25 passes for 282 yards and a touchdown in his lone season with the team. The Bills acquired Matthews via trade last August after sending away former No. 4 overall pick Sammy Watkins. Though Matthews appeared primed for a high-volume workload, he soon after fell behind in the pecking order as Buffalo acquired Kelvin Benjamin. Matthews spent the previous three years with the Philadelphia Eagles, totaling more than 800 yards in each season.
The Packers and Matthews share plenty of ties, several dating back before the wide receiver entered the NFL. As a collegiate wideout, Matthews caught passes for Jordan Rodgers, younger brother of Packers superstar quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Matthews also played head coach James Franklin, a former Green Bay offensive assistant. In another coaching stop at Kansas State, Franklin coached Jordy Nelson, whom the Packers selected in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft.
Should Matthews sign with the Packers, he could help fill out a weakened receiving corps. The team released Nelson last week to create cap space, and other pass catchers such as Richard Rodgers and Jeff Janis became free agents earlier this month.