Special teams ace Mathew Slater returning for 16th year with Patriots

The longest-tenured member of the New England Patriots is not ready to give up his title just yet.

The New England Patriots announced that special teams ace Mathew Slater would return for his 16th season with the team in 2023. The 37-year-old 10-time Pro Bowler was mulling retirement this offseason.

“It’s been a great run”: Slater, McCourty share thoughts after possible Foxboro farewell

“I couldn’t be happier to learn that Matthew Slater has decided to return for his 16th season with the New England Patriots,” said Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft in a statement. “Matthew’s drive to be the best at what he does will one day earn him enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Yet, as stellar as his football career has been, he is an even better person. 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.”

Drafted in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL draft, Slater is the longest-tenured member of the Patriots and has served as a team captain for 12 years. Slater’s 10 Pro Bowl selections are the most ever for a special teams player.

Slater has played in 25 postseason games, all in New England, tied for the ninth-most in NFL history.

Slater is often the last Patriot to speak in the Patriots’ post-game huddle, breaking the down the team with an “AWWWWW YEAAAH” - a tradition started by former Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi.

“It is a great honor and blessing to return to the Patriots for my 16th season,” said Slater. “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. See you in the fall. God Bless.”

Slater, alongside fellow captain Devin McCourty, had tears in his eyes as trotted off the field after the Patriots’ Week 17 victory over the Miami Dolphins.

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick lofted praise toward the pair of three-time Super Bowl champions in his postgame press conference.

“What those two guys have done, what they mean to this organization, what they mean to me personally, what they’ve done here, it’s pretty impressive, pretty elite,” said Belichick.

Slater finished the 2022 NFL season with 13 special teams tackles, the 11th time the surreal special teams gunner had broken the double-digit mark.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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