Key Points Summary
╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ – Jake Matthews and Clay Matthews III are first cousins through their fathers, Bruce Matthews and Clay Matthews Jr. ║
║ – Jake Matthews is a longtime offensive tackle for the Atlanta Falcons, while Clay Matthews III became a star linebacker for the Green Bay Packers. ║
║ – Both players grew up in a multigenerational football family that includes former NFL players and a Pro Football Hall of Famer. ║
║ – Bruce Matthews played 19 NFL seasons and entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007. ║
║ – Clay Matthews III earned six Pro Bowl selections and won Super Bowl XLV with the Packers. ║
║ – Jake Matthews made his 200th career start against the New Orleans Saints in October 2026 and was cleared to return for Atlanta’s next game. ║
╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
Are Jake Matthews and Clay Matthews Related?
The question of whether jake matthews related to clay matthews has a straightforward answer: yes, Jake Matthews and Clay Matthews III are first cousins. Their connection comes through their fathers, who are brothers and both built lengthy careers in the National Football League.
Jake Matthews is the son of Bruce Matthews, one of the most respected offensive linemen in NFL history. Clay Matthews III is the son of Clay Matthews Jr., a former professional linebacker who spent most of his career with the Cleveland Browns.
Bruce and Clay Jr. are sons of Clay Matthews Sr., a former San Francisco 49ers player who helped establish the family’s football tradition. Their children carried that legacy forward, becoming professional players in different generations and at different positions.
Although Jake and Clay III share a family name and a football background, their careers developed along separate paths. Jake became known for protecting quarterbacks and anchoring Atlanta’s offensive line, while Clay III built his reputation as a disruptive defensive player in Green Bay.
Their relationship is particularly interesting because both cousins reached the NFL through their own accomplishments while continuing a tradition that had already made the Matthews name familiar to football fans.
Who Is Jake Matthews?
Jake Matthews, whose full name is Jacob Thomas Matthews, is an American professional football player who plays offensive tackle for the Atlanta Falcons. Born on February 11, 1992, he grew up in a family where football was a major part of everyday life.
His father, Bruce Matthews, was already an established NFL star when Jake began developing his own interest in the sport. However, Jake had to demonstrate his own ability before earning a place among the league’s top prospects.
He played college football at Texas A&M University, where he developed a reputation for his blocking technique, strength, discipline and ability to handle demanding defensive assignments. His performances made him one of the leading offensive line prospects in his draft class.
The Atlanta Falcons selected Matthews with the sixth overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. The selection reflected the organization’s desire to strengthen its offensive line and establish long-term protection for its quarterback.
Since entering the league, Matthews has become one of Atlanta’s most dependable players. Offensive tackles rarely receive the same public attention as quarterbacks or wide receivers, but their work is essential to an offense’s success. Matthews has spent his professional career protecting the quarterback, helping establish the running game and providing stability along the line.
His durability has become a defining feature of his career. In October 2026, he reached 200 career NFL starts, a milestone that placed him among a select group of players in Falcons franchise history.
Who Is Clay Matthews III?
Clay Matthews III is a former NFL linebacker best known for his years with the Green Bay Packers. He became one of the league’s most recognizable defensive players during the late 2000s and 2010s.
Born on May 14, 1986, Matthews played college football at the University of Southern California. He entered the NFL when Green Bay selected him in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft.
Matthews quickly became an important part of the Packers’ defense. His explosive first step, strength, pursuit speed and ability to pressure quarterbacks made him a challenging opponent for offensive linemen.
He earned six Pro Bowl selections and played a major role in Green Bay’s victory in Super Bowl XLV following the 2010 season. His performance helped establish his reputation as one of the most prominent defensive players of his era.
Clay’s style of play differed significantly from Jake’s. While Jake’s success depends on preventing defenders from reaching the quarterback, Clay built his career by getting past blockers and disrupting offensive plays.
His football background also played a major role in his development. His father, Clay Matthews Jr., had spent years competing as an NFL linebacker, giving the younger Matthews a close connection to the demands of professional defense.
Despite that family influence, Clay III developed his own playing identity and became a star through his performances on the field.
The Matthews Family Tree Explained
The family relationship between Jake Matthews and Clay Matthews III becomes clearer when looking at the generations that came before them.
Clay Matthews Sr. played for the San Francisco 49ers during the 1950s. His NFL career established the foundation for a family that would go on to produce several professional football players.
His sons, Bruce Matthews and Clay Matthews Jr., followed different paths in the league.
Bruce Matthews became an outstanding offensive lineman. He played primarily for the Houston Oilers and later the Tennessee Titans, earning 14 Pro Bowl selections during his 19-season career. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007.
Clay Matthews Jr. established himself as a linebacker, spending much of his professional career with the Cleveland Browns before finishing with the Atlanta Falcons. His experience helped continue the family’s defensive tradition.
The next generation included Jake Matthews and Clay Matthews III. Jake followed his father into offensive line play, while Clay III became a leading NFL linebacker like his father.
The family also includes other professional football players. Jake’s brothers include former NFL offensive linemen Kevin Matthews and Mike Matthews, while Clay III’s brother, Casey Matthews, played linebacker in the NFL.
This history explains why the Matthews name has remained familiar to football fans for decades. The family has produced players at different positions, with each generation contributing to its reputation.
Bruce Matthews: The Hall of Fame Connection
Bruce Matthews is central to understanding Jake’s football background. His accomplishments placed him among the greatest offensive linemen of his generation and created a high standard for the next generation of Matthews players.
He played 19 seasons in the NFL and was known for his versatility. Bruce could play multiple positions along the offensive line, giving his teams flexibility and dependable protection in a physically demanding role.
His 14 Pro Bowl selections reflected his consistency and recognition among the league’s top players. His induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007 cemented his standing as one of the sport’s all-time great offensive linemen.
For Jake, growing up with a father who had achieved so much in professional football offered an opportunity to learn about preparation, discipline and the realities of a long NFL career.
Nevertheless, Jake’s accomplishments cannot be explained by his family background alone. Offensive line play demands technical skill, strength, communication and rapid decision-making. His success with Atlanta reflects his own development and sustained performance.
The similarities between father and son are especially apparent in their durability. Bruce played 296 regular-season games across his NFL career, while Jake has continued building an impressive record of his own.
Clay Matthews Jr. and the Defensive Side of the Family
Clay Matthews Jr. provides the other important link in the family tree. As a longtime NFL linebacker, he established a reputation for consistency and helped maintain the Matthews family’s presence on defense.
He spent most of his career with the Cleveland Browns, playing in an era when linebackers were expected to combine physical tackling with coverage responsibilities and defensive leadership.
His career helped establish a foundation for Clay Matthews III, who later became a major figure with the Green Bay Packers.
Clay III’s success demonstrated how the family’s football knowledge could translate into a different generation of the league. Modern defensive schemes demanded speed, versatility and the ability to create pressure against increasingly sophisticated offenses.
The younger Matthews became particularly effective as a pass rusher, using athleticism and technique to challenge offensive tackles. That role made his matchups with offensive linemen especially important, including the occasional opportunity to face his cousin Jake.
Together, the two branches of the family illustrate how football experience can be passed from one generation to the next without producing identical careers.
Jake Matthews and Clay Matthews III: Different Roles, Shared Football Heritage
Although they belong to the same family, Jake Matthews and Clay Matthews III became successful in very different areas of football.
Jake plays offensive tackle, a position that requires strength, balance, quick reactions and precise communication. His primary responsibility is to protect the quarterback from defensive pressure, particularly from players attacking the outside edge of the offensive line. He must also block effectively to help running backs gain yards.
Clay III, by comparison, played linebacker and became especially dangerous as a pass rusher. His responsibilities included tackling ball carriers, pressuring quarterbacks, disrupting passing plays and helping coordinate defensive assignments.
These positions often bring offensive and defensive players into direct competition. An offensive tackle must anticipate a defender’s movements and prevent him from reaching the quarterback, while a pass rusher attempts to find a way around or through the blocker.
The connection between jake matthews related to clay matthews therefore has an additional football dimension: the cousins represent opposing sides of the same fundamental contest.
Their different specialties also demonstrate that a shared family background does not determine a player’s position or style. Both developed individual skills suited to their respective responsibilities and established their own professional reputations.
Did Jake Matthews and Clay Matthews III Play Against Each Other?
Yes. Jake Matthews and Clay Matthews III have faced each other in NFL competition, including when the Atlanta Falcons played the Green Bay Packers.
One particularly interesting opportunity came during Jake’s rookie season in 2014. At that point, Clay III was already an established defensive player, while Jake was beginning his professional career after being selected sixth overall.
The matchup placed the cousins in a situation that football families rarely experience: competing directly against each other in a regular-season NFL game.
Their positions made the contest especially compelling. Jake needed to keep opposing pass rushers away from his quarterback, while Clay sought to penetrate the offensive line and disrupt Atlanta’s passing game.
Family relationships do not change the competitive demands of professional football. Once the game begins, each player must concentrate on his assignment and help his team succeed.
For Jake, competing against an experienced defender such as Clay also represented a valuable test of his technique and preparation. For fans, the matchup offered a memorable example of how one family’s football legacy can extend to opposing teams.
Jake Matthews’ Latest Career Update in October 2026
Jake Matthews reached a significant milestone during Atlanta’s October 5, 2026, game against the New Orleans Saints. The contest marked his 200th career NFL start, adding another achievement to his long tenure with the Falcons.
However, the milestone came with an injury concern. Matthews suffered a groin injury during the game, left the contest and did not return. His availability for Atlanta’s next matchup consequently became an important storyline for the team.
The Falcons subsequently listed him as questionable for their October 11 game against the Baltimore Ravens. After making progress during the week, he was cleared to play and was listed among Atlanta’s active players for the Sunday night matchup.
His return meant Matthews could continue a remarkable consecutive-start streak. Entering the Ravens game, he had recorded 199 consecutive starts, and his appearance against Baltimore gave him his 200th consecutive start as well as his 201st career start.
These milestones are distinct: his 200th career start came against New Orleans, while his 200th consecutive start came against Baltimore.
The distinction matters because consecutive starts measure a player’s uninterrupted run of starting appearances, whereas career starts include all games in which he has started, regardless of whether the streak was interrupted.
Matthews’ ability to return after the groin injury reinforced his importance to Atlanta’s offensive line. His experience and consistency remain valuable assets for a team that depends on dependable protection and effective communication across the line.
Why the Matthews Family Continues to Attract NFL Fans
The Matthews family stands out because its connection to professional football extends across several generations. Many families produce one NFL player, but the Matthews name has been associated with multiple accomplished players over decades.
Clay Matthews Sr. began the professional football tradition. His sons, Bruce Matthews and Clay Matthews Jr., established successful careers in different positions. Their children subsequently brought the family name into another era of the league.
Bruce’s Hall of Fame career gave the family a particularly strong connection to offensive line excellence. Clay Jr. and Clay III helped establish its reputation on defense, while Jake continued the offensive tradition with the Atlanta Falcons.
The family also illustrates how football knowledge and experience can be passed between generations. Young players may grow up observing professional preparation, training routines and the discipline required to compete at the highest level.
However, a famous surname does not guarantee success. Each player must earn a roster position, learn the demands of the professional game and maintain performance against elite competition.
Jake’s long career is significant in its own right. His starting record, experience and ability to contribute over many seasons have helped him establish a reputation beyond his family connections.
Clay III likewise developed his own identity through his accomplishments with Green Bay, particularly his Pro Bowl selections and contribution to the team’s Super Bowl championship.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jake Matthews and Clay Matthews
1. Are Jake Matthews and Clay Matthews III cousins?
Yes. Jake Matthews and Clay Matthews III are first cousins. Their fathers, Bruce Matthews and Clay Matthews Jr., are brothers.
2. Who is Jake Matthews’ father?
Jake Matthews is the son of Bruce Matthews, a former NFL offensive lineman who played 19 seasons and entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007.
3. Who is Clay Matthews III’s father?
Clay Matthews III is the son of Clay Matthews Jr., a former NFL linebacker who played primarily for the Cleveland Browns.
4. What team does Jake Matthews play for?
Jake Matthews plays offensive tackle for the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta selected him sixth overall in the 2014 NFL Draft.
5. Which NFL team did Clay Matthews III play for?
Clay Matthews III became best known for his time with the Green Bay Packers. He helped the team win Super Bowl XLV following the 2010 season.
6. Are Jake Matthews and Clay Matthews III brothers?
No. They are first cousins, not brothers. Jake is the son of Bruce Matthews, while Clay III is the son of Bruce’s brother, Clay Matthews Jr.
7. How many career starts has Jake Matthews made?
Matthews recorded his 200th career start against the New Orleans Saints on October 5, 2026. He then made his 200th consecutive start against the Baltimore Ravens on October 11, 2026.
8. Why is the Matthews family famous in football?
The family has produced multiple NFL players across several generations, including Hall of Fame offensive lineman Bruce Matthews and accomplished linebacker Clay Matthews III.
Conclusion
Jake Matthews and Clay Matthews III are connected by more than a shared surname. They are first cousins whose fathers, Bruce Matthews and Clay Matthews Jr., helped establish one of the NFL’s most recognizable football families.
Their careers demonstrate two different sides of the game. Jake has built a reputation as a dependable offensive tackle for the Atlanta Falcons, while Clay III became a prominent defensive player with the Green Bay Packers. Their accomplishments reflect individual talent, sustained effort and a family tradition that stretches back several generations.
Jake’s October 2026 milestones further highlight his durability and importance to Atlanta. His 200th career start against New Orleans, followed by his 200th consecutive start against Baltimore, added another chapter to a remarkable professional career.
What do you think makes the Matthews family so special in NFL history? Share your thoughts in the comments and follow along for more NFL family stories and player updates!