Packers' Matthews moving back to natural position

Despite consecutive Pro Bowl performances by Clay Matthews as an inside linebacker, the Green Bay Packers are moving their golden-hair star back to his "natural position."

Matthews will return to lining up as an outside linebacker in Green Bay's 3-4 system after almost two seasons in the middle of the defense.

"I think it's my most natural position, my most impactful position," Matthews told ESPN's Rob Demovsky on Thursday. "And I think we'll see that on a more consistent basis this season."

Matthews will operate as a book end opposite Julius Peppers on the edges of Green Bay's front seven, where head coach Mike McCarthy expects him to move without difficulty.

"I don't really look at it as a transition," McCarthy said Thursday. "I mean, he's spent pretty much the majority of his time there and he looks good. We're in the tempo and teaching environment that you survive in this time of year, so - so far, so good. He looks good."

Packers director of football operations Eliot Wolf confirmed that it's been "no secret" that Matthews "prefers to play outside," but the former All-Pro never made a fuss of playing the inside, or anywhere else.

"I've always tried to be a team player," Matthews said. "I think I kind of exemplified that in making the switch. I don't think many players would do that with the success I'd like to think I had on the outside, but I think it really helped this team out. There were times that, I mean you look statistically where we went as a defense both in rush statistics as well as pass, but I think at the end of the day they see my most natural and most impactful position as a pass-rusher."

Matthews is still expected to move around somewhat, but with the emergence of Jake Ryan and Sam Barrington, and the drafting of Blake Martinez, the Packers no longer need to rely on Matthews in the middle.