But even the first Green Bay Packers star linebacker must admit what everyone saw this season with Rodgers and the New York Jets.

“They’ve been tough to watch,” said Matthews, who spoke with USA TODAY Sports’ Mackenzie Salmon where he discussed a variety of topics including Rodgers, retirement, the Packers as well as quarterbacks in the NFC North. Caleb Williams (Chicago Bear) and Sam Darnold (Minnesota Vikings).

Matthews and Rodgers were teammates for 10 seasons in Green Bay, won a Super Bowl together and became a partner in hilarious State Farm commercials. Matthews also had the Lambeau Field Atrium crowd laughing during his induction into the Packers Hall of Fame this summer When he made a joke about Rodgers’ use of ayahuasca.

The atmosphere was less jovial around Rodgers’ team in 2024.

The Jets opened the season with huge expectations and are poised to end their 13-year playoff drought with the return of Rodgers, who missed all but the first four games of the 2023 season with an Achilles injury. But at 3-7, the Jets’ season thus far has been a major disappointment.

“It doesn’t look good, that’s all I’m going to say,” Matthews said. “No one’s a bigger fan of Aaron than me. I’m pulling for him.”

Clay Matthews on the struggles of the New York Jets, Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams

What’s wrong with the Jets?

“I just feel like it’s a team that’s not clicking, not on the same page,” Matthews said.

With the Jets leading 2-3 early in the season, they fired head coach Robert Saleh. and then later traded for Rodgers’ buddy Davante Adams from the Las Vegas Raiders. Adams and Rodgers spent eight years together with the Packers from 2014-2021.

Nothing worked. The Jets only won one game after Saleh was fired and the connection between Adams and Rodgers didn’t really come to fruition as the offense continued to stutter all season.

“You expect to see that immediate chemistry that they had in Green Bay, but that’s just not the case,” Matthews said.

Clay Matthews says he wouldn’t join Jets if Aaron Rodgers called

Former Packers linebacker Clay Matthews III says there’s too much going on to return to the game.

Sport seriously

Clay Matthews retired, if he considered a comeback

Matthews’ final NFL game came at the end of the 2019 season after one year with the Los Angeles Rams when he was 34 years old. He is now 38, still more than three years younger than Rodgers, who turns 41 on December 2.

From Randall Cobb has Allen Lazard has Adams and others, Rodgers has brought several of his friends to New York over the past two years. Would Matthews answer the phone if Rodgers called him?

“No, no,” Matthews said with a laugh.

Matthews noted that he wanted to finish his career with the Packers for one last run with Rodgers before retiring, something he’s already talked aboutbut it just didn’t work.

“We tried to make this happen in Green Bay,” Matthews said. “That wasn’t happening. He had some attraction but not enough. That would have been great.”

Matthews said he is enjoying retired life.

“I’m too busy taking my kids to flag football and dancing and gymnastics,” Matthews said. “I’m good where I’m at. I’m busy right now.”

Clay Matthews discusses the Green Bay Packers

Even though the Jets’ playoff prospects aren’t promising, Matthews is confident in the Packers’ playoff chances.

The Packers begin their Week 11 game against the Chicago Bears at 6-3 and currently the seventh seed in the NFC.

“I think so, I really think so,” Matthews said when asked if his former team would make the playoffs.

He praised the team’s defense, although he acknowledged that the Packers have challenges with the NFC’s top seed, the Detroit Lions, and the NFC North’s second-place team , the Minnesota Vikings. Both teams have beaten the Packers at home this season.

“It’s going to be a close fight until the end,” Matthews predicted. “They are an exciting team to watch and I see them in the thick of the action at the end.”