Jordan Armand Matthews (born July 16, 1992) is an American professional football tight end for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Vanderbilt and was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft. Matthews started his NFL career as a wide receiver before switching positions after the 2020 season.
.jpg) Matthews playing for Vanderbilt in 2013 | |||||||||
| No. 81 – Carolina Panthers | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Tight end | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | July 16, 1992 Madison, Alabama, U.S. | ||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 236 lb (107 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Madison (AL) Academy | ||||||||
| College: | Vanderbilt (2010–2013) | ||||||||
| NFL draft: | 2014 / round: 2 / pick: 42 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
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| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||
| Roster status: | Practice squad | ||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics as of Week 4, 2024 | |||||||||
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Early life
editMatthews was born on July 16, 1992, in Madison, Alabama. He attended Madison Academy where he lettered in football and basketball. As a senior at Madison Academy, Matthews led the football team to a 12–1 record.[1] For his high school football career at Madison Academy, Matthews had 181 receptions, 3,218 receiving yards, and 38 touchdowns.[2]
Matthews was a three star recruit.[3][4] Auburn began recruiting Matthews during his junior year of high school when Phillip Lolley, the director of Football External Operations at the time, called the Matthewses.[5] Matthews was planning to walk on at Auburn before receiving an offer from Vanderbilt.[1] Matthews received a scholarship offer from Vanderbilt head coach Bobby Johnson on Christmas Eve in 2009 after wide receiver prospect and eventual Ohio State cornerback Bradley Roby de-committed from Vanderbilt. Matthews only received scholarship offers from Vanderbilt, Kansas, Tulane, Arkansas St., and Jacksonville St.[4] Matthews committed to Vanderbilt on December 26, 2009.[6]
College career
editAs a true freshman at Vanderbilt, Matthews had 15 receptions for 181 yards and four touchdowns in 2010. As a sophomore in 2011, he had 41 receptions for 778 yards and five touchdowns. Matthews was included in the 2012 Biletnikoff Award Watch List.[7] As a junior in 2012, Matthews was a first-team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) selection and was named third-team All-American by Phil Steele and CBS SportsLine.com.[7][8] He finished the season with 94 receptions for 1,323 yards and eight touchdowns.[9]
Matthews was included on the 2013 Maxwell Award Watch List and the 2013 CFPA Wide Receiver Trophy Watch List.[7] As a senior in 2013, Matthews was again a first-team All-SEC selection.[10] He would also be named a first-team All-American by USA Today,[11] Athlon,[12] CBS Sports, Sports Illustrated, and the Associated Press. During the season, he set the all-time SEC record for career receptions and career receiving yards.[13][14] Matthews also was a semi-finalist for the Biletnikoff Award and won the 2013 CFPA Elite Wide Receiver Trophy.[15] On November 16, 2013, Matthews was named SEC Offensive Player of the Week.[7] In his final college game, he was the MVP of the 2014 BBVA Compass Bowl after recording five receptions for 143 yards and two touchdowns.[16][17] He finished the season with 112 receptions for 1,477 yards and seven touchdowns. Matthews' 112 receptions in 2013 set the SEC record for most receptions in a single season. Amari Cooper broke this record a year later[18] with 124 receptions.[19]
For his collegiate career, Matthews had 262 receptions for 3,759 yards,[20] both marks serving as both SEC and school records. His 24 career touchdowns are also the best in school history.
Matthews graduated from Vanderbilt with a degree in economics.[21]
Professional career
edit| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | Wonderlic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 3+1⁄8 in (1.91 m) |
212 lb (96 kg) |
33+1⁄4 in (0.84 m) |
10+3⁄8 in (0.26 m) |
4.46 s | 1.55 s | 2.61 s | 4.18 s | 6.95 s | 35.5 in (0.90 m) |
10 ft 0 in (3.05 m) |
21 reps | 29 |
| All values from NFL Combine[22][23] | ||||||||||||
Philadelphia Eagles (first stint)
editThe Philadelphia Eagles selected Matthews in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft with the 42nd overall pick.[24] The Eagles traded up 12 spots in order to draft him.[25] On May 27, 2014, he signed with the team for a four-year deal. He scored his first and second career touchdowns in a Week 3 matchup against the Washington Redskins. In a Monday Night Football matchup in Week 10, he caught 7 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns against the Carolina Panthers. He finished the season with 67 catches for 872 yards and eight touchdowns.[26]
Matthews started his second year in the NFL with a game against the Atlanta Falcons. He had 10 receptions for 102 yards in the 26–24 loss.[27] On October 8, against the Dallas Cowboys, Matthews had nine receptions for 133 yards and one touchdown.[28] On December 20, against the Arizona Cardinals, Matthews had eight receptions for 159 yards and one touchdown.[29] On January 3, 2016, in the regular season finale against the New York Giants, Matthews had his only multi-touchdown game of the season. In the 35–30 victory, he had seven receptions for 54 yards and two touchdowns.[30] On the season, he had 85 receptions for 997 yards and eight touchdowns.[31]
With rookie quarterback Carson Wentz, Matthews started his third year in the NFL with a game against the Cleveland Browns. He had seven receptions for 114 yards and one touchdown in the 29–10 victory.[32] The season opener would be Matthews' best game of the season as he would fail to break 100 receiving yards again on the season. Against the Cowboys on October 30, he had a season-high 11 receptions for 65 yards and one touchdown in the 29–23 loss.[33] On the season, he had 73 receptions for a career-low 804 yards and a career-low three touchdowns.[34]
Buffalo Bills
editOn August 11, 2017, the Eagles traded Matthews, along with a 2018 third-round pick, to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for cornerback Ronald Darby.[35]
On September 10, Matthews made his debut as a member of the Bills. He had two receptions for 61 yards in the 21–12 victory over the New York Jets.[36] Matthews caught his first touchdown with the Bills during a 23–17 upset win over the defending National Football Conference (NFC) Champions Falcons, but fractured his right thumb during the game. He was expected to be out for a month following surgery, but returned against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers three weeks after his injury.[37][38] He was placed on injured reserve on December 5, 2017, with a knee injury.[39] He finished the 2017 season with career-lows with 25 receptions for 282 yards and one touchdown.[40]
New England Patriots
editOn April 5, 2018, Matthews signed a one-year contract with the New England Patriots worth $1 million, with $300,000 guaranteed.[41][42] However, on August 1, 2018, he was released by the Patriots with an injury settlement following a hamstring injury that he suffered three days prior during training camp.[41][43]
Philadelphia Eagles (second stint)
editThe Eagles re-signed Matthews on September 19, 2018, to help with an injury-depleted receiving corps.[44] In Week 4, against the Tennessee Titans, he recorded a 56-yard receiving touchdown for his first touchdown in his return to Philadelphia.[45] Matthews finished the season with 20 catches for 300 yards and 2 touchdowns, and had 1 catch for 37 yards and a touchdown in 2 playoff games.[46]
San Francisco 49ers (first stint)
editOn March 14, 2019, Matthews signed a one-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers.[47] He was released by the 49ers during final roster cuts on August 31, 2019.[48] He was re-signed on October 3, 2019,[49] but was released again on October 26.[50]
Philadelphia Eagles (third stint)
editMatthews re-signed with the Eagles on November 11, 2019.[51] He was waived on November 25, 2019.[52]
San Francisco 49ers (second stint)
editOn December 11, 2019, Matthews was signed by the 49ers.[53] Although he did not play in the 49ers playoff run, the team appeared in Super Bowl LIV but they lost 31–20 to the Kansas City Chiefs.
On November 27, 2020, Matthews was signed to the practice squad of the 49ers'.[54] He was released on December 8,[55] and re-signed to the practice squad on December 23, 2020.[55] He was elevated to the active roster on December 25 and January 2, 2021, for the team's weeks 16 and 17 games against the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks, and reverted to the practice squad after each game.[56][57] His practice squad contract with the team expired after the season on January 11, 2021.[58]
Following the season, Matthews announced a position switch to tight end after playing wide receiver throughout his career up to that point. He put on 30 pounds as part of his new training.[59] He re-signed with the 49ers on July 31, 2021.[60] He was released on August 31, 2021, and re-signed to the practice squad the next day.[61][62] He was released on September 22.[63] He was re-signed on October 5.[64] He signed a reserve/future contract with the 49ers on February 2, 2022.[65] He was placed on season-ending injured reserve by the 49ers on August 4, after suffering a torn ACL in practice.[66]
Carolina Panthers
editOn October 25, 2023, Matthews was signed to the Carolina Panthers practice squad.[67] He was signed to the active roster on November 7, 2023.[68] He was released on November 13 and re-signed to the practice squad.[69] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 8, 2024.[70]
On August 27, 2024, Matthews was released by the Panthers and re-signed to the practice squad the next day, then promoted back to the active roster.[71][72][73] He was released on September 17, and re-signed to the practice squad.[74] He was promoted back to the active roster on November 2. Matthews was released and re-signed to the practice squad on November 15.[75]
Personal life
editMatthews is married to Chicago Red Stars soccer player Cheyna Williams, who also attended Vanderbilt before graduating from Florida State University. The couple have two sons together.[76] Matthews is a Christian.[77]
Matthews' parents are Brenda and Rod Matthews. He has one brother, Justin. Matthews is related to Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice, as his mother is Rice's cousin.[78]
Matthews is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.[79]
On July 7, 2018, Matthews hosted his second Vanderbilt Legends Charity Softball Game at Vanderbilt's Hawkins Field. The proceeds from the event benefited YWCA and AMEND Together, two organizations that fight domestic violence. The event included a home run derby and a softball game with teams composed of former Vanderbilt athletes. The event is a part of Matthews' foundation called Matthews Mission.[80]
NFL career statistics
edit| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Bold | Career High |
Regular Season
edit| Team | Team | Game | Receiving | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | ||
| 2014 | PHI | 16 | 10 | 67 | 872 | 13.0 | 44 | 8 |
| 2015 | PHI | 16 | 12 | 85 | 997 | 11.7 | 78 | 8 |
| 2016 | PHI | 14 | 13 | 73 | 803 | 11.0 | 54 | 3 |
| 2017 | BUF | 10 | 7 | 25 | 282 | 11.3 | 47 | 1 |
| 2018 | PHI | 14 | 3 | 20 | 300 | 15.0 | 56 | 2 |
| 2019 | SF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| PHI | 2 | 1 | 4 | 33 | 8.3 | 10 | 0 | |
| 2020 | SF | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | SF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | CAR | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 76 | 46 | 274 | 3,288 | 12.0 | 78 | 22 | |
References
edit- ^ a b Lockridge, Jeff (May 7, 2014). "Jordan Matthews' greatness began at home". The Tennessean. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
- ^ McCarter, Mark (October 30, 2012). "Vanderbilt's Jordan Matthews among SEC's best receivers -- but only after saying bye to soccer". AL.com. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
- ^ "Jordan Matthews, Madison County, Wide Receiver". 247Sports. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
- ^ a b "Jordan Matthews, 2010 Wide Receiver, Vanderbilt". Rivals.com. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
- ^ Mccaskill, Larry D (November 15, 2013). "Father beams as son's name goes into SEC record book". www.army.mil. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
- ^ Talty, John (August 7, 2014). "Alabama's and Auburn's biggest in-state recruiting misses: No. 2 is the SEC's all-time leading receiver". AL.com. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
- ^ a b c d "Vanderbilt Official Athletic Site - Vanderbilt University". Retrieved August 5, 2018.
- ^ McCarter, Mark (December 4, 2012). "Former Madison Academy standout Jordan Matthews named All-SEC". AL.com. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
- ^ "Jordan Matthews 2012 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
- ^ "2013 All-SEC Football Team Announced". SEC Digital Network. December 10, 2013.
- ^ "USA TODAY Sports' All-America college football team". USA Today. December 11, 2013.
- ^ "Matthews named to Athlons' (sic) First Team All-America squad". Vanderbilt University Athletics. December 13, 2013.
- ^ "Vandy's Matthews sets SEC receptions mark". ESPN.com. Associated Press. November 24, 2013. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
- ^ Goodbread, Chase (October 26, 2013). "Vanderbilt WR Jordan Matthews breaks SEC receiving record". NFL.com. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
- ^ "Jordan Matthews wins 2013 CFPA Elite Wide Receiver Trophy « Vandy Pride". Vandy Pride. Archived from the original on December 30, 2013. Retrieved December 28, 2013.
- ^ Birdsong, Nick (January 5, 2014). "Vanderbilt WR Jordan Matthews ends college career with MVP performance in BBVA Compass Bowl". AL.com. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
- ^ "Vandy's Jordan Matthews goes out in style in Compass Bowl". NFL.com. Archived from the original on January 6, 2014.
- ^ Champlin, Drew (December 7, 2014). "Alabama WR Amari Cooper breaks single-season SEC receptions record". AL.com. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
- ^ "Southeastern Conference Single Season Leaders and Records for Receptions | College Football at Sports-Reference.com". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
- ^ "Jordan Matthews Career Game Log". Sports Reference. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
- ^ Lockridge, Jeff (May 8, 2014). "Jordan Matthews: Vanderbilt football star poised for NFL Draft". The Tennessean. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
- ^ "Jordan Matthews Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ "2014 NFL Draft Scout Jordan Matthews College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ "2014 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
- ^ Wesseling, Chris (May 9, 2014). "Eagles trade up to draft Jordan Matthews at No. 42". NFL.com. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
- ^ "Jordan Matthews 2014 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
- ^ "Philadelphia Eagles at Atlanta Falcons - September 14th, 2015". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
- ^ "Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys - November 8th, 2015". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
- ^ "Arizona Cardinals at Philadelphia Eagles - December 20th, 2015". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
- ^ "Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants - January 3rd, 2016". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
- ^ "Jordan Matthews 2015 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
- ^ "Cleveland Browns at Philadelphia Eagles - September 11th, 2016". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
- ^ "Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys - October 30th, 2016". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
- ^ "Jordan Matthews 2016 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
- ^ Sessler, Marc (August 11, 2017). "Bills trade Sammy Watkins to Rams, acquire Matthews". NFL.com.
- ^ "New York Jets at Buffalo Bills - September 10th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 24, 2017.
- ^ "Bills will have wide receiver Jordan Matthews back against Bucs". Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
- ^ "Injuries: Bills' Jordan Matthews to have thumb surgery". NFL.com. October 3, 2017. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
- ^ Brown, Chris (December 5, 2017). "Lawson & Matthews to I-R; Bills elevate Capi & Reilly to active roster". BuffaloBills.com. Archived from the original on December 8, 2017.
- ^ "Jordan Matthews 2017 Game Log". NFL.com. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
- ^ a b Reiss, Mike (August 1, 2018). "Patriots release injured wide receiver Matthews". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
- ^ Shook, Nick (April 5, 2018). "Patriots sign Jordan Matthews to one-year deal". NFL.com. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
- ^ Teope, Herbie (August 1, 2018). "Patriots release Jordan Matthews following injury". NFL.com. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
- ^ McPherson, Chris (September 19, 2018). "WR Jordan Matthews Is Back". PhiladelphiaEagles.com.
- ^ "Alshon Jeffery shines in return, but Eagles can't hold lead, fall to Titans in OT". Courier-Post. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
- ^ "Jordan Matthews 2018 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
- ^ "49ers Sign RB Tevin Coleman and WR Jordan Matthews". 49ers.com. March 14, 2019. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
- ^ "49ers announce final 53 man roster". 49ers.com. August 31, 2019. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
- ^ "49ers Sign WR Jordan Matthews". 49ers.com. October 3, 2019. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
- ^ "49ers Activate LS Kyle Nelson, Release WR Jordan Matthews". 49ers.com. October 26, 2019. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
- ^ McPherson, Chris (November 11, 2019). "Eagles welcome back Jordan Matthews". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
- ^ Schaller, Olivia (November 25, 2019). "Eagles waive WR Jordan Matthews". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
- ^ "49ers Sign CB Dontae Johnson and WR Jordan Matthews, Place C Weston Richburg on IR". 49ers.com. December 11, 2019.
- ^ "49ers Announce Roster Moves". 49ers.com. November 27, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
- ^ a b "49ers Announce Roster Moves". 49ers.com. December 8, 2020. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
- ^ "49ers Announce Roster Moves". 49ers.com. December 25, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ "49ers Announce Roster Moves". 49ers.com. January 2, 2021. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
- ^ "Six players no longer under contract". FantasyGuru.com. January 11, 2021. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
- ^ "Former Eagles WR Jordan Matthews transitioning to TE after gaining 30 pounds". Eagles Wire. June 17, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
- ^ "49ers Sign TE Jordan Matthews; Release WR Bennie Fowler". 49ers.com. July 31, 2021.
- ^ "49ers Announce Initial 53-Man Roster Ahead of NFL Deadline". 49ers.com. August 31, 2021.
- ^ "49ers Sign 13 Players to Practice Squad". 49ers.com. September 1, 2021. Archived from the original on September 3, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
- ^ "49ers Sign RB Chris Thompson, DL Eddie Yarbrough to Practice Squad". 49ers.com. September 22, 2021.
- ^ "49ers Sign K Joey Slye; Add Three Players to Practice Squad". 49ers.com. October 5, 2021.
- ^ "49ers Sign 11 Players to Reserve/Future Contracts". 49ers.com. February 2, 2022.
- ^ Inman, Cam (August 3, 2022). "49ers' Jordan Matthews tears ACL to foil his roster charge". The Mercury News. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
- ^ Rizzutti, Anthony (October 25, 2023). "Panthers add 2 players to practice squad on Wednesday". Panthers Wire. USA Today. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
- ^ "Linebacker Chandler Wooten placed on injured reserve". Panthers.com. November 7, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
- ^ Gantt, Darin (November 13, 2023). "Panthers release two to create roster spots". Panthers.com. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
- ^ Gantt, Darin (January 8, 2024). "Panthers extend three, sign 11 practice squaders to future deals". Panthers.com. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
- ^ Gantt, Darin (August 27, 2024). "Panthers make moves to get to initial 53-man roster". Panthers.com. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
- ^ Gantt, Darin (August 28, 2024). "Nine players signed to practice squad". Panthers.com. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
- ^ Gantt, Darin (August 29, 2024). "Panthers bring Jordan Matthews back to 53-man roster". Panthers.com. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
- ^ Gantt, Darin (September 17, 2024). "Panthers make three moves". Panthers.com. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
- ^ Rizzutti, Anthony. "Panthers bring back TE to practice squad on Friday". Panthers Wire. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- ^ Pease, Joshua (August 1, 2019). "Pro athletes Jordan, Cheyna Matthews building Godly marriage amid 'organized chaos'". Sports Spectrum. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
- ^ "Jordan Matthews". The Increase. Archived from the original on January 25, 2020. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
- ^ Goodbread, Chase (July 19, 2013). "Vanderbilt's Jordan Matthews a distant relative of Jerry Rice". NFL.com. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
- ^ "Kappa Alpha Psi | Greek Life @ Vanderbilt University | Vanderbilt University". Archived from the original on May 12, 2014. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
- ^ Benjamin, Cody (July 10, 2018). "Patriots WR Jordan Matthews fights domestic abuse with charity softball game". Sports Spectrum. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
External links
edit- Career statistics from NFL.com · ESPN · Yahoo Sports
- Carolina Panthers bio
- Vanderbilt Commodores bio
Media related to Jordan Matthews at Wikimedia Commons
