Professional career
Miami Dolphins
Matthews was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round (227th overall) of the 2012 NFL draft.[9] He recorded his first reception in a 19–14 loss to the Buffalo Bills on November 15. He finished the Thursday Night Football game with one catch for 19 yards.[10] Overall, Matthews finished his rookie season with 11 receptions for 151 yards.[11]
Matthews was one of only four receivers to make the final 53-man roster in 2013. This was crucial after seeing Dustin Keller go down in a preseason game against the Houston Texans.[12] Matthews was a second-year player adding to the likes of Mike Wallace, Brian Hartline, and Brandon Gibson. Matthews had his first two-touchdown game in another losing effort against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on November 11, 2013. He finished the Monday Night Football game with 120 yards on 11 receptions.[13] After Miami's Brandon Gibson went down in Week 11, Matthews received a large increase in targets and a number of starts. Matthews proved to be a reliable target, specifically in the Miami win against the New England Patriots on December 15, 2013. Matthews caught a 24-yard reception to keep the drive alive in the 24–20 upset.[14] The 2013 season came to an end with Matthews contributing 41 receptions for 448 yards and two touchdowns.[15]
The 2014 campaign was a lackluster performance for Matthews, who had emerged in 2013 as a reliable target, with the season ending prematurely for Matthews when off-field conduct resulted in his suspension for the final game against the New York Jets.[16] While Matthews had shown promise, he finished the 2014 season with 12 receptions for 135 yards and two touchdowns.[17]
In Week 7 of the 2015 season against the Houston Texans, Matthews reeled in a then career-long 53-yard receiving touchdown in the first quarter of the 44–26 victory.[18] On November 30, 2015, Matthews suffered multiple fractured ribs in the Miami Dolphins' Week 12 loss to the New York Jets.[19] On January 2, 2016, Matthews was placed on injured reserve.[20] Overall, in the 2015 season, he finished with 43 receptions for 662 yards and four touchdowns.[21]
Tennessee Titans
On March 9, 2016, Matthews signed a three-year deal with the Tennessee Titans.[22] In his first season with the Titans, he set a career-high in receiving yards with 945 and with nine receiving touchdowns.[23] He led the Titans in both receiving yards and touchdowns.[24]
On September 24, 2017, Matthews scored a 55-yard touchdown during the Titans' 33–27 victory against the Seattle Seahawks.[25] On November 16, he scored a 75-yard touchdown as the Titans lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers by a score of 40–17.[26] Overall, he finished the 2017 season with 53 receptions for 795 yards and four touchdowns.[27]
On August 21, 2018, Matthews signed a one-year contract extension with the Titans through the 2019 season.[28] However, on September 26, he requested his release from the Titans, citing a lack of playing time and targets. The team granted his request the next day and released him.[29] Matthews finished with his time with the Titans with a total of 121 receptions for 1,751 yards and 13 touchdowns.
New York Jets
On October 23, 2018, Matthews signed with the New York Jets.[30] He played in five games recording just two catches for 13 yards before being placed on injured reserve on December 18.[31][32]
New Orleans Saints
On June 13, 2019, Matthews signed with the New Orleans Saints.[33] On August 10, he was released after leaving camp.[34]
Retirement
On August 12, 2019, Matthews announced his retirement from the NFL.[35]
