Patriots Matthew Slater Reveals Reason For Return in 2023
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FOXBORO — New England Patriots special team captain, Matthew Slater recently channeled his inner ‘Rocky Balboa.’
As the titular character once told his brother-in-law Paulie Pennino in the sixth installment of the movie franchise: “There's still some stuff in the basement.”
Apparently, the three-time Super Bowl champion’s ‘basement’ is in need of some ‘spring cleaning,’ as well.
Slater revealed his decision last Friday to return for his 16th season in the NFL — agreeing with the Patriots (with whom he has played his entire career) on a one-year, ‘team friendly’ deal.
Despite having earned multiple accolades for his performance on the field, Slater apparently has some unfinished business to which he must attend before riding off into the proverbial sunset.
Simply put, he still has wisdom to impart upon the next generation of Patriots.
"I do believe that my role at this point is not just about covering kicks, blocking for returners," Slater recently told Patriots.com. "I think it's about fostering culture, building relationships and pouring into young men. You can do that in other capacities but the way you do that as a player is very different. The way you're able to connect with guys is very different.”
The Pats captain continued to take great pride in his role as a mentor for many of the team’s younger players — not only leading them on the field, but also offering his wisdom and advice away from it.
During New England’s offseason workout programs, Slater is among the team's most stabilizing veteran presences. He is often seen working with both rookies and veterans alike during OTAs and minicamp; sharing his thoughts on a specific alignment in team drills or lightening the mood by flashing a smile during warmups.
"That's something I still have a lot of passion for and that's something I certainly wasn't ready to walk away from,” Slater continued. “That factored in huge into the decision because I feel like there are certain things you can do as a player that you can't do as an administrator or as a staff member. Things I felt like were unfinished in terms of relationships and culture so that definitely factored in."
As such, it is no surprise that the organization is excited to have Slater back in the Foxboro fold for at least one more season — most importantly, coach Bill Belichick.
The relationship between Slater and Belichick has been forged in mutual respect. In fact, the player’s reverence and trust in his head coach is such that it had an impact on hie decision to return for another season in New England.
A chance encounter, devoid of fanfare, was all Slater needed to realize that Belichick wanted him back in the Foxboro fold.
“I bumped into him outside the weight room,” Slater told Steve Buckley of The Athletic. “I was going out, he was coming. I told him I felt like I wanted to come back and play. And it was very well received. He was excited that I felt that way.
“If Bill had said, ‘OK, it’s time (to retire),’ that would have removed all doubt about playing. But he wanted me back. The conversation was all of two minutes, maybe three minutes.”
With all parties on the same page, Slater, Belichick and the Patriots are set to go — in ‘Rocky-esque’ fashion — at least ‘one more round’ together in 2023.
Follow Mike D’Abate on Twitter @mdabateNFL and Listen/Subscribe to his daily podcast: Locked On Patriots
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