One NFL legend every team wishes they could bring back in 2021

Cleveland Browns: Clay Matthews Jr., Linebacker

There were a couple of players who would have made sense for the Cleveland Browns here including cornerbacks Frank Minnifield or Hanford Dixon. Cleveland has four solid options at cornerback but three of those players have had injury concerns in their pro and collegiate careers.

Another option would have been wide receiver Paul Warfield who would have given them a player capable of stretching the field. Again, the Browns are solid here with Odell Beckham, Jr. and Jarvis Landry leading the way but OBJ has dealt with several nagging injuries as well as a torn ACL in 2020.

Still, those positions have players who are capable of getting the job done. Where Cleveland really has a big question mark is in the middle of their defense at linebacker. Right now, Anthony Walker comes in as the top player at the position although they have high hopes for rookie Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and second-year linebacker Jacob Phillips. JOK, however, is more of a hybrid player and Phillips still has to prove he can be consistent — something that is also an issue for Mack Wilson and Sione Takitaki.

With all that being said, Clay Matthews, Jr. is a player who could step in and improve the entire defense for the Browns. He spent 16 seasons in Cleveland and is the all-time leader in tackles for the franchise with 1,430. He added another 165 tackles in his final three seasons which were spent on the Falcons but he was at his best in the orange and brown.

Matthews, Jr. — who is part of a royal football family — could also bring the heat off the edge. He recorded 62 sacks with the Browns and 7.5 for the Falcons in his career. Matthews should be in Canton but for some reason, he hasn’t been voted in. Even without getting g that respect he deserves, he’s a legend in Cleveland and would instantly improve this roster.