Clay Matthews appeared to disapprove of the Packers’ re-issuing his No. 52

so quickly after his free agency departure to the Rams. After the Packers tweeted out a photoshoped image of Rashan Gary wearing Matthews’ old jersey JK Scott Jersey , Matthews replied, “The body’s not even cold yet lol.”Gary, a first-round draft pick, said Friday he requested 52.It perhaps for a different reason than expected, but the former Michigan star did realize it was Matthews’ old number.“Five minus 2 equals 3. I wore 3 in college,” Gary said Brett Favre Color Rush Jersey , via Ryan Wood of the . “But Clay Matthews was a guy I used to watch his game a lot. I’m a bigger type of guy, but watching what he used to do, his passion for the game, man, I loved it. As soon as I saw it was open, I had to take it.”Gary has a long way to go to live up to the number. Matthews left Green Bay as the franchise’s all-time leader in sacks with 83.5 https://www.thepackersfanshop.com/Paul-Hornung-Jersey , and tied with Reggie White and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila with four 10-sack seasons.“Coming to an organization like this, you understand the players that play here before you and the standard that you need to uphold,” Gary said. “Every time I wear that 52, it means a lot to me.” The Packers have gotten some time to get used to head coach Matt LaFleur since the offseason program started earlier this month and one of the things that has come through for the players is the sense of a new beginning.LaFleur said on Tuesday that he will “always pay credit and respect” to the past successes of the Packers organization, but said that he’s focused on “making history” rather than living in it. LaFleur’s focus on now has found support from quarterback Aaron Rodgers.“I think the great thing about Matt is it’s been very clear messaging,” Rodgers said Bart Starr Jersey , via PackersNews.com. “He’s been great in front of the room. It’s a forward focus. It’s about building today for a better tomorrow. He’s done a great job of talking about how the most important thing is us moving forward together and having a deference and appreciation for the past.”The overall history of the Packers is a rich one, but missing the playoffs the last two years means the recent past hasn’t been quite as fruitful. Moving past all of it will be necessary for LaFleur to truly make a fresh start in Green Bay.