Wide receiver Rishard Matthews has requested his release from the Titans, as he tells Austin Stanley of A to Z Sports. Matthews says he and Tennessee have reached an agreement, although the club has yet to announce any transaction.
“I’ve been the leading receiver for two years,” Matthews said. “Then all of a sudden I’m barely playing and not even starting. Using my injury as the scapegoat. Look at number of snaps and targets.”
Matthews has appeared in all three games for the Titans this season, but is tied for sixth in targets with tight end Luke Stocker and fellow receiver Tajae Sharpe. He’s played exactly 50% of Tennessee’s offensive snaps, which ranks him third among Titans wideouts behind Corey Davis and Sharpe. The 28-year-old has produced just three receptions for 11 yards on six targets.
Mathews agreed to an extension just over a month ago, a self-negotiated deal that was widely panned. the pact tacks on a one-year team option in 2019 that’s valued at $7.5MM, but the extra year doesn’t contain any guaranteed money. Matthews is earning a base salary of $5MM this season, and while that total should be guaranteed given that he made the Titans’ Week 1 roster as a vested veteran, Tennessee could look to negotiate that total down, as Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap tweets.
Despite his lackluster production in 2018, Matthews is indeed an accomplished receiver. He led the Titans in receiving yards in both 2016 and 2017, and he averaged 59 receptions, 870 yards, and 6.5 touchdowns during that time.
Matthews will presumably garner a good deal of free agent interest once he reaches the open market, and he’ll join a list of available pass-catchers that includes Dez Bryant, Kendall Wright, Kenny Britt, and Jeremy Maclin, among others.
Seems incredibly premature of him. Easing him in due to missing the preseason and on top of that they’ve had Gabbert and Mariota with a hurt elbow out there throwing it. The passing game has clearly not been a focus so far for those reasons, so of course all the WRs have boring stat lines. Wait it out a bit man you know a healthy Mariota loves throwing it to you.
To the Pats?
they have Gordon and Edelman coming back. not sure he wouldn’t be anything bit the 5th or 6th option there barring injuries
Might be a little more than he is letting on.
He probably wants a QB that can throw him the ball.
Boom.
“I’ve been the leading receiver for two years,” Matthews said. “Then all of a sudden I’m barely playing and not even starting”
Ummm yah bro tell that to my fantasy teams. You were a dark horse I got late in the draft thinking the same thing.
yeah, actually that was the next part of his quote, just the writer omitted it from the article. matthews said “…. and how am i supposed to produce for dugdog83’s fantasy teams if you guys dont throw me the ball?” end quote
I actually reported that in my fantasy blog, have a whole article surrounding this issue.
See sportsnutz and Zed-A know what’s up
Browns
hire an agent. they exist so teams don’t take advantage of geniuses like Matthews.
Dude really!!??
Dallas should be salivating.
For this bum? Get real…
Opposed to the bums we have?
Buffalo go get him need another good wr to go with Benjamin & Jones
Catch ratio of just 60% with YPC of 14. Journeyman territory. NFL teams are looking for 18 to 19 YPC at that catch ratio or a catch ratio closer to 70% for a possession receiver.
Neither fish nor fowl.