MISSOURI CITY, Texas — Shoving a weighted blocking sled across the artificial turf surface, Atlanta Falcons veteran left offensive tackle Jake Matthews finishes off the grueling exercise by retreating into a pass-blocking set as he practices the footwork he utilizes to stonewall pass rushers.
Jake Matthews reflects on Falcons’ offseason
Matthews is training at Plex, a performance training and physical therapy complex, alongside former Texas A&M offensive line teammate Germain Ifedi, a former Seattle Seahawks first-round draft pick who recently signed a one-year contract with the Falcons. His father — Hall of Fame offensive lineman Bruce Matthews — is lifting weights at the gym along with his wife, Meggi Matthews, who later stands on the blocking sled while Matthews pushes it along the ground.
Falcons offensive tackle Jake Matthews gets a training boost from his wife, Meggi Matthews @PlexAthlete https://t.co/FahaqXnG7k pic.twitter.com/DYJ708iHaK
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) April 15, 2022
Heading into his ninth NFL season, the 30-year-old former first-round draft pick has been a fixture on the Falcons’ offense. That offense changed dramatically this spring when the NFC South franchise traded former Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts after pursuing quarterback Deshaun Watson, who joined the Cleveland Browns in a trade. Now, Marcus Mariota has been installed as the current starter under center and, perhaps, a bridge to the next franchise quarterback.
Matthews responds to Matt Ryan trade
“It’s surreal,” Matthews said after finishing his workout. “For my first eight years in the league, Matt was my quarterback. I have nothing but respect for him. He was a tremendous leader for our team.
“He really set the example for how you want to approach the game, how you want to work hard. You never had to worry with him about being mentally prepared or fully into it. I wish him nothing but the best. I have a ton of respect for him.”
A former Pro Bowl replacement, Matthews renewed his commitment to the Falcons in March when he signed a three-year, $52.5 million contract extension. Like every year, Matthews will ply his trade as a reliable left tackle. Now, he’ll be protecting Mariota.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Matthews said. “I like what we’ve got going on there. I’m really happy to re-sign there, and I see myself there for the long haul. I’m excited for another year.”
Hailing from a football family
Matthews, 30, a former first-round draft pick and consensus All-American, has started 128 career games. He’s now the longest-tenured Falcons player after Ryan’s exit. He comes from a football family led by a Hall of Fame father.
Both of his brothers, Kevin and Mike, played in the NFL. His cousin, Clay Matthews III, played linebacker for the Green Bay Packers. His uncle is retired NFL veteran linebacker Clay Matthews Jr., the grandson of NFL player Clay Matthews Sr.
“I definitely pride myself on durability and consistency and always suiting up and playing every Sunday no matter how you’re feeling,” Matthews said. “I want to continue to do that and be an anchor on the line and a guy you’re looking to and say, ‘He does things the right way.'”
Matthews has learned a lot from Arthur Smith
The Falcons finished 7-10 last season in coach Arthur Smith’s first season, but Matthews is convinced they’re headed in the right direction under his leadership.
“He’s very sarcastic, very dry humor, I love it,” Matthews said. “I really enjoyed having him there. I learned a lot and grew a lot. I’m very happy to continue my career there.”
Matthews has been training at Plex since he was a standout at nearby Elkins High School with elite trainer Danny Arnold. The workouts are designed to mimic football movements and provide joint stability, not necessarily about lifting the heaviest weight possible.
“I’ve been coming here really since high school, and I’ve always liked the stuff Danny put us through,” Matthews said. “He’s not just training you to have the best bench press or back squat. It’s what do we need to do to make you the best offensive lineman.
“It’s good work. I feel like it’s easier on the joints, and you’re still getting the muscular work you need. I’ve been doing it my whole NFL career, every offseason. I feel like it works very well for me.”
Specialized workouts
During the workout session, which includes training alongside San Francisco 49ers offensive guard Keaton Sutherland, Matthews and Ifedi work with resistance bands, perform cone and ladder agility drills, the sled work, and lift weights.
Atlanta Falcons veteran offensive lineman Germain Ifedi @GermainX1 @PlexAthlete @itsdannyarnold pic.twitter.com/IIHPlvDo5T
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) April 19, 2022
The weightlifting, primarily dumbbell workouts on this day, are high-repetition every set.
“It’s a little bit of everything,” said Arnold, who has been training athletes for a quarter-century. “It’s very football-specific and position-specific. Our philosophy is to mimic the things they do on the field and add some more things to it: more resistance, more challenges, more imbalances. What’s great is when the players are doing it, they know they’re getting better on the field. It’s not, ‘Let’s get strong and hope it translates.’
“We’re doing exactly the same movements. And I use the word ‘fun’ when I put together workouts that are challenging and result-driven. It’s very easy for them to buy in. Once they buy in — and we’re talking about very wealthy athletes with a lot of time on their hands — when they buy in, you get great results. They know I never sacrificed their joints and, when their career is over, they transition to a regular lifestyle like Bruce, who played a brutal game that took a lot out of his joints.”
To be able to work out with his father and be joined by his former Aggies teammate Ifedi at offseason workouts and on the Falcons’ roster is significant for Matthews.
“That’s one of my favorite parts about the offseason is coming in here working out and my father, he’s here as well doing his own thing,” Matthews said. “We just have a good time getting good work in. Especially having Germain here, who’s going to be my teammate. I played with him in college. I know what he’s all about.
“It’s kind of surreal. I’m going into my ninth year. He’s going into his seventh year. We’re kind of the oldest guys in the room. It’s surreal, but it’s really exciting.”
College teammate Germain Ifedi joins Matthews on Falcons’ roster
Drafted in 2016 by Seattle, Ifedi is a versatile blocker who has played offensive tackle and guard. The 6-foot-5, 324-pound Houston native played for the Chicago Bears for the past two seasons. He started every game in 2020, 10 games at right guard and six at right tackle.
“We’ve talked, and the Falcons are excited about my versatility,” Ifedi said. “I’ve played both guard and right tackle. I’ll be competing and showing them what I can do and the man I am and the player I am. That will be on full display, and that’s exciting.”
He started seven games last season at right tackle for Chicago while dealing with a knee injury. Now, he’s fully healthy and rejoins Matthews, his college teammate.
“It’s exciting, just the familiarity of it, having played with him in college, and it’s really cool, us training together,” Ifedi said. “We bounce ideas off each other and navigate the season. It will be cool to get into that environment. Going into seven years now, it really flies by. You’ve got to enjoy the journey.
“It doesn’t always go the way you want it, but that’s the beauty of the journey. It’s a league that can be unforgiving. It’s a blessing to keep on going. I feel like I got better as a football player today.”