Latest news with #MatthewSlater
USA Today
11 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Patriots legend Matthew Slater reveals the best special teamer in NFL
Patriots legend Matthew Slater reveals the best special teamer in NFL Some NFL fans view New England Patriots legend Matthew Slater as the greatest special teams player of all time. So Slater's opinion on who currently carries the distinction as the NFL's best special teamer is held in high regard. The resume speaks for itself when it comes to Slater, a 10-time Pro Bowler, two-time First-Team All-Pro and a three-time Super Bowl champion. When appearing on the "Dudes on Dudes" podcast, Slater admitted he was biased, but he picked a clear winner for the NFL's best special teams player currently. 'I have a extreme bias, but to me it's Brenden Schooler,' said Slater, as transcribed by NESN's Sophie Weller. 'To me, there's really no weakness in his game. We always talk about covering kicks and making plays that impact coverage, but in the return game, it's very rare that the guy he's blocking will be even close to the football. He's a dominant player in the return game.' Schooler has certainly lived up to the hype. He was named a First-Team All-Pro in 2024, and he also made the Pro Bowl in 2025. As a rookie, he earned the PFWA All-Rookie Team honors in 2022, and he was named an NFLPA All-Pro in 2023. There is no replacing a legend like Slater on the Patriots' football team. However, Schooler has done a tremendous job of carving his own path to greatness. Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Matthew Slater breaks silence after losing coaching job with Patriots
Former New England Patriots special teams captain Matthew Slater, who served as an assistant coach last season, opened up about not returning on Mike Vrabel's new coaching staff in 2025. Slater spent the 2024 season as an advisor to former Patriots coach Jerod Mayo. He rejoined the Patriots after a decorated playing career that saw him become one of the greatest special team gunners of all time. He won three Super Bowls and made ten Pro Bowls, establishing himself as the cornerstone of the Patriots special teams operation. The legendary special teamer held that role from 2008-2023 before officially announcing his retirement. "I've had a tremendous experience as a Patriot. They've been nothing but good to me," Slater told WBZ-TV's Dan Roche, via Matt Geagan of WBZ News. "They allowed me to live out my childhood dream and I'm very thankful for that. I'm thankful for all the Kraft family has done for me and I don't see that changing anytime soon. "I'll always be a Patriots fan and always support the team. Right now, it's important that I support my family and that's what I'm going to do moving forward." Slater will always hold a place in Patriots history as one of the most dominant players at his position. Furthermore, he will also hold a place as a true captain and locker room leader during his time with the organization. Ex-Patriots assistant coach reportedly lands job with division rival Patriots releasing forgotten offensive tackle ahead of free agency Nick Foles roasts Tom Brady after Eagles win second Super Bowl This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Matthew Slater breaks silence after losing coaching job with Patriots
USA Today
11-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Matthew Slater breaks silence after losing coaching job with Patriots
Former New England Patriots special teams captain Matthew Slater, who served as an assistant coach last season, opened up about not returning on Mike Vrabel's new coaching staff in 2025. Slater spent the 2024 season as an advisor to former Patriots coach Jerod Mayo. He rejoined the Patriots after a decorated playing career that saw him become one of the greatest special team gunners of all time. He won three Super Bowls and made ten Pro Bowls, establishing himself as the cornerstone of the Patriots special teams operation. The legendary special teamer held that role from 2008-2023 before officially announcing his retirement. 'I've had a tremendous experience as a Patriot. They've been nothing but good to me,' Slater told WBZ-TV's Dan Roche, via Matt Geagan of WBZ News. 'They allowed me to live out my childhood dream and I'm very thankful for that. I'm thankful for all the Kraft family has done for me and I don't see that changing anytime soon. 'I'll always be a Patriots fan and always support the team. Right now, it's important that I support my family and that's what I'm going to do moving forward.' Slater will always hold a place in Patriots history as one of the most dominant players at his position. Furthermore, he will also hold a place as a true captain and locker room leader during his time with the organization.
CBS News
10-02-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Matthew Slater reacts to not being brought back on Patriots coaching staff
FOXBORO -- When Mike Vrabel's full Patriots coaching staff was announced last week, there was a notable name missing: New England special teams legend Matthew Slater. After retiring from his playing career after the 2023 season, Slater took his leadership skills to the New England coaching staff as a special assistant to head coach Jerod Mayo last season. But that role is not carrying over to Vrabel's new staff in 2025. The upcoming season will be the first that Slater is not with the Patriots since he was a fifth-round pick by the team in 2008. While Slater will be away from professional football, he has a much bigger job waiting for him. "I'm a dad and a husband, and that is what's right for me right now," Slater told WBZ-TV's Dan Roche at the Boston Winter Ball at the Omni Seaport Hotel on Saturday night. "That's what I'm most excited about doing. I've put that on hold for a lot of years and that's what I'm going to do in the near future." Matthew Slater will always be a Patriots fan Slater said he remains grateful for all the Patriots and the Kraft family have done for him throughout his career. "I've had a tremendous experience as a Patriot. They've been nothing but good to me. They allowed me to live out my childhood dream and I'm very thankful for that. I'm thankful for all the Kraft family has done for me and I don't see that changing anytime soon," Slater said Saturday night. "I'll always be a Patriots fan and always support the team. Right now, it's important that I support my family and that's what I'm going to do moving forward." While he won't be on the staff, the doors at Gillette Stadium will always be open for Slater and other former Patriots, as Vrabel is promoting an open door policy with former players. Matthew Slater's Patriots career One of the best special-teams player in NFL history, Slater spent all 16 seasons of his career with the New England Patriots. He was a team captain for 13 years, and his 248 career games with New England are the second-most in franchise history. He is the Patriots all-time leader in special teams tackles, and has the third-most in the NFL since 1994. Slater was a two-time First Team All-Pro and a 10-time Pro Bowler with the Patriots, which are the most Pro Bowl nods for a special teams player in NFL history.
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Patriots update on legendary players relieved of coaching duties
New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel is reportedly establishing an open-door policy for Patriots alumni in the building. Per ESPN's Mike Reiss, Vrabel has made it clear he wants all former Patriots players to be welcomed to the building. Vrabel is part of that club considering he played for the Patriots organization from 2001-2008. This report comes after Matthew Slater, Troy Brown and Dont'a Hightower were relieved of their coaching staff duties. Reiss wrote: Former Patriots greats Matthew Slater, Dont'a Hightower and Troy Brown weren't retained on staff. Slater and Hightower initially came aboard due to their personal ties to Jerod Mayo, and it's unclear whether they still want to coach. Nonetheless, Vrabel has told those in the organization he wants to make sure all former players are welcomed back in the building. After all, he's one of them. Vrabel has worked hard behind the scenes to establish a new coaching staff in hopes of reigniting a winning culture in New England. But he hasn't forgotten the importance of honoring those who paved the road for the future. Former Patriots star defender joining Bill Belichick's staff at UNC Ex-Rams RB shares what Patriots players said after Super Bowl LIII win Patriots insider floats trade consideration with No. 4 draft pick This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Patriots update on legendary players relieved of coaching duties
