New England Patriots wide receiver and special teams ace Matthew Slater announced on Tuesday that he is officially retiring from professional football. Slater holds the record for most special teams Pro Bowl appearances with 10. "I have given all that I possibly can to respect and honor the game," Slater wrote. "Though it is time for my relationship with the game to evolve, the love I have for it will last a lifetime." The former fifth-round pick by the Patriots in 2008 out of UCLA spent his entire 16-year career in New England and won three Super Bowls with the team and is the franchise's all-time leader in special teams tackles. Slater played in 239 games with the Patriots, second in team history behind only Tom Brady (285). Slater's 25 career postseason games rank ninth-most in NFL history. The 38-year-old was a team captain for 13 straight seasons.
New England Patriots wide receiver Matthew Slater (hamstring) was limited in practice on Wednesday ahead of his team's Week 17 matchup against the Buffalo Bills. Slater missed New England's Week 16 matchup against the Denver Broncos with a hamstring injury but his ability to get back on the practice field on a limited basis on Wednesday is a positive sign for the special teams ace. Slater will hope to get upgraded to a full session by Friday.
JuJu Smith-Schuster, Matthew Slater Limited Wednesday
New England Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (ankle) was a limited participant during practice on Wednesday. The 27-year-old missed last Sunday's game but exploded one week earlier in Week 14 with four catches for 90 yards. It appears that he has a respectable rapport with current starting quarterback Bailey Zappe, though it's tough to trust him with Demario Douglas, DeVante Parker, and Hunter Henry all healthy. Special teamer Matthew Slater (hamstring) was also limited, putting his Week 16 status up in the air.
The New England Patriots announced on Friday that wide receiver and special teams ace Matthew Slater will return to the team in 2023 for his 16th season. The 37-year-old is a veteran of 15 NFL seasons (all with New England) after originally coming into the NFL as a fifth-round pick out of UCLA in 2008. Slater is a 12-time captain for the Patriots and has made 10 trips to the Pro Bowl as a special teamer, the most special teams Pro Bowl selections in NFL history. He has also won three Super Bowl championships with the Pats and has played in 25 postseason games, tied for ninth-most in league history. Slater ranks second in team history with 223 total games played and is the team's all-time leader with 172 total special teams tackles. However, he has no fantasy appeal.
Patriots Likely To Re-Sign Devin McCourty, Matthew Slater
The New England Patriots are likely to re-sign free safety Devin McCourty and wide receiver Matthew Slater. Slater will have a minimal salary cap charge, while McCourty still figures to command a significant contract. While both players are nearing the end of their respective careers, McCourty and Slater are two of the greatest leaders and tone-setters in the history of the organization. Veteran quarterback Brian Hoyer is another player projected to stay in New England to help Mac Jones continue to develop. McCourty, 34, didn't show many signs of decline in 2021 with 60 tackles, three interceptions and 10 passes defensed. Slater is a core special teams player that will remain in New England.
Patriots, Matthew Slater Agree To Two-Year Extension
The New England Patriots and wide receiver Matthew Slater agreed to a two-year contract extension on Friday night, according to sources. The deal is similar to his last contract with the Patriots, which averaged $2.6 million per season. The long-time team captain and special teams standout is one of the club's most respected players and is arguably the top special teams player in the NFL. The 34-year-old veteran is extremely valuable to New England in real life, but he has zero fantasy value, catching just one pass for 46 yards for the Patriots since 2008.
The New England Patriots re-signed wide receiver Matthew Slater to a two-year deal on Tuesday, according to a source. Slater is a special teams ace and doesn't have a single catch since 2011. He can be ignored in all fantasy leagues.
Free agent special teams ace Matthew Slater visited with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday. Slater has spent his entire 10-year career with the New England Patriots, making the Pro Bowl as a special teamer seven times. The free agent 32-year-old has been a long-time captain and locker room leader for the Patriots, meaning his loss would hit New England on the field as well as off of it. The Steelers would certainly relish the opportunity to weaken a Patriots team that has already lost left tackle Nate Solder, wide receiver Danny Amendola, running back Dion Lewis, and cornerback Malcolm Butler this offseason.
