New England Patriots Captain Matthew Slater To Return For 16th NFL Season

Matthew Slater’s run with the New England Patriots will continue in 2023.

The perennial special teams captain is set to put off retirement and return for his 16th NFL campaign, the organization announced Friday.

Slater, who will turn 38 in September, entered the league in the fifth round of the 2008 draft at No. 153 overall. Once a prospect without a permanent position, the UCLA product’s tenure has gone on to span 223 games in the regular season and 25 games in the postseason.

His offensive résumé includes one catch for 46 yards and two carries for 11 yards. His defensive résumé includes three starts in a shorthanded secondary. And back deep, there have been 35 kickoffs returned for 637 yards.

But a role has been carved where perhaps no player has ever carved one better. The double-teams and triple-teams across the line of scrimmage have reflected it over the years.

“Matthew’s drive to be the best at what he does will one day earn him enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame,” Patriots owner Robert Kraft said in a statement. “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.”

First voted a team captain in 2011, Slater stands as a three-time Super Bowl champion and member of the franchise’s All-Decade and All-Dynasty teams. To go with five All-Pro selections, his ten Pro Bowl selections mark the most by a special teams player in NFL history, eclipsing longtime Buffalo Bills receiver and gunner Steve Tasker’s record of seven in 2019.

“Matt’s incredible career is a testament to his preparation and will to succeed,” added Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. “We are thrilled he will be playing this season.”

Slater had signed a one-year contract worth $2.62 million before free agency opened last March. The agreement qualified for the four-year qualifying player benefit, resulting in a reduced cap number of $1.272 million, according to OverTheCap.com.

No. 18 proceeded to again lead New England’s kicking game with 385 snaps played, good for 84%, across all 17 games.

“It is a great honor and blessing to return to the Patriots for my 16th season,” Slater said in his own statement released by the team. “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.”

The all-time Patriots leader in special teams tackles, Slater has collected a combined 195 from Septembers into Februaries.

In 2022, while checking in as the second-oldest member of the roster behind kicker Nick Folk, he reached double-digit tackles for the 11th time in his career. Only undrafted rookie Brenden Schooler’s tally ranked ahead in Foxborough.