Matthew Slater will return for his 16th season with the New England Patriots, the team announced Friday.
Slater, 37, is a 12-time special teams captain and has received 10 Pro Bowl nods, a record for special teams players.
“Matt’s incredible career is a testament to his preparation and will to succeed,” coach Bill Belichick said in a news release. “We are thrilled he will be playing this season.”
Slater’s contract details were not released. He made $2.62 million in 2022.
“It is a great honor and blessing to return to the Patriots for my 16th season,” Slater said in the release. “I thank God for His continued grace and provision over my career. I look forward to continuing to play under the leadership of Coach Belichick. Thank you to the Kraft family and the entire Patriots organization for allowing me to continue to pursue my childhood dream.”
Originally drafted as a wide receiver in the fifth round of the 2008 draft, Slater made his impact on special teams. He served as a kick returner on and off between 2008 and 2016, but on kick and punt coverage he’s amassed 185 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery across 223 career games.
Slater has played in every game for the Patriots over the past five seasons, last missing time due to injury in 2017.
Patriots owner and chairman Robert Kraft proclaimed that Slater’s drive “will one day earn him enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame,” an exceedingly rare honor for special teamers.
“Yet, as stellar as his football career has been, he is an even better person,” Kraft’s statement continued. “He is led by his faith and spirituality, dedicated to his family and committed to his craft. There is no better leader for our younger players to follow and no better ambassador for the Patriots organization. He is truly special, and I am grateful that his contributions to the team will continue.”
–Field Level Media