As the Patriots enter a new era, they will do so without special teams captain Matthew Slater.
Slater announced his retirement on Tuesday morning via the Patriots’ social media outlets.
Slater retires as a three-time Super Bowl winner, five-time first-team All-Pro, three-time second-team All-Pro, and ten-time Pro Bowl pick.
He was named to the Patriots’ All-2010s and All-Dynasty teams, as well as the Bart Starr Award, which is given to the player who “best exemplifies outstanding character and leadership in the home, on the field, and in the community,” in 2017, and the Art Rooney Award, which is given in recognition of outstanding sportsmanship on the field, in 2021.
Slater was elected team captain for 13 consecutive seasons.
Former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick advocated for Slater’s Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy during the 2023 season, calling him the best special teams coverage player in NFL history.
“I think Slater is eventually going to be a Hall of Fame candidate,” Belichick stated in December. “As a cover player, not a specialist. For what he is, he is not a returnee. As a result, he falls into a fairly distinct category.
One that I do not believe is represented in the Hall of Fame, but should be based on what he accomplished during his career, the length of time he did it, and the level at which he performed. Again, there is no Hall of Fame criteria. However, I believe this man has been as prolific as anyone has ever been at his post in his long career. I believe he is the best at what he has done.
Whether or not something is worthy of the Hall of Fame is another matter on which I have no opinion. I can’t see putting anyone ahead of him in that position.”
Last season, Belichick again described Slater as “just about the perfect player”.
Slater’s retirement was expected, but he did not address it directly at the end of the 2023 season. During the Patriots’ season finale versus the Jets, teammates wore sweatshirts in tribute of Slater.
Slater was picked in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft from UCLA. The Patriots tested him at wide receiver and safety before settling on him as a key special-teams member.
He concludes his career with 191 tackles, two tackles for loss, 35 kick returns for 635 yards, two carries for 11 yards, and one 46-yard reception.
Jackie Slater, Slater’s father, is a Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive tackle who played for the Rams between 1976 and 1995.
. He was a four-time second-team All-Pro, seven-time Pro Bowler, and received the Bart Starr Award in 1996.
