Tag: matthew slater

Patriots update on legendary players relieved of coaching duties

All former Patriots players will be welcomed back in the building

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.

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NFL legend Matthew Slater’s future on Patriots’ coaching staff decided

Assistant coach Matthew Slater will reportedly not return to the Patriots in 2025

New England Patriots coaching assistant Matthew Slater will not be part of Mike Vrabel’s staff, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss.

Slater served the role of special assistant to the head coach on Jerod Mayo’s staff. It was his first coaching opportunity since retiring from the game of football. He had a historic career as one of the greatest special teams players of all time with the Patriots from 2008-2003, earning 10 Pro Bowl nominations in the process.

Slater was highly respected as a veteran player and was an integral part of the Patriots’ special teams unit throughout his career.

Reiss wrote:

In his SiriusXM NFL Radio interview, Maye noted how Matthew Slater was a top mentor to him during his rookie season, which included “all aspects of life.”

That leaves a significant void for Maye in 2025. Slater was serving as the special assistant to former head coach Jerod Mayo, a position that didn’t carry over to the new regime.

Vrabel has been hard at work rebuilding the coaching staff, and that has led to a massive turnover, including Alex Van Pelt, DeMarcus Covington, Dont’a Hightower, Slater and so many others.

It’s a crucial time for a Patriots team seeking significant change after three straight losing seasons.

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Patriots captain takes over Matthew Slater’s ‘aww yeah’ chant duties

The tradition is continuing in New England

The tradition of the “aww yeah” chant continued following the New England Patriots 16-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1. Patriots legend Matthew Slater used to lead the chant, but this time, it was linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley stepping in for the now retired Slater.

Bentley has been a veteran staple of the defense for several years. He tallied a team-high 12 tackles and half a sack against the Bengals. The veteran was able to get pressure on the Bengals’ offensive line and make his presence felt on the field.

He also made his presence felt in the locker room, as he took over the chanting duties from Slater.

Week 1 was a big week in many ways as the Patriots secured their first victory of the season. It marked a new era of Patriots football and a solid building block in the post-Bill Belichick era.

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Matthew Slater’s official job title with Patriots revealed

Matthew Slater’s new job title with the Patriots revealed

Matthew Slater’s new job title on the New England Patriots’ coaching staff has officially been revealed.

According to the team’s official website, Slater will be serving as a special assistant to the head coach.

Back in June, Patriots coach Jerod Mayo was asked what Slater would be doing on the coaching staff, and he said the former 10-time Pro Bowler would be doing “everything.”

“At this level it’s hard to find people who will tell you the truth, and he’ll tell you how it is,” said Mayo, when commenting on Slater, per 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Alex Barth.

Slater still being connected to the team in any form should be considered a win for the Patriots. He’s one of the greatest players in franchise history and a future Hall of Famer. His locker room leadership would have been greatly missed after retirement.

Mayo will need all of the help he can get righting the ship for a team that finished 4-13 last season. Slater is one of the coaches close enough to him to be a direct sounding board and ultimately help get the team back on track.

Jerod Mayo adds context to Matthew Slater’s role on Patriots’ staff

Matthew Slater might not be on the field, but he’s still making an impact in New England

Special teams legend Matthew Slater is still making a big impact with the New England Patriots as an advisor.

Slater retired after 18 seasons in the NFL back in February. He has now settled into his new role on coach Jerod Mayo’s staff. The job description for an advisor could mean a bunch of different things. So there’s still a bit of mystery surrounding his actual role on the team.

Even Mayo noted on Tuesday that Slater doesn’t really have a defined job within the role, but he did claim the former 10-time Pro Bowler had his hands in “everything.”

With that in mind, Mayo loves the approach that Slater is taking with his new job opportunity. He also appreciates the raw honesty he gets from his former teammate.

“At this level it’s hard to find people who will tell you the truth, and he’ll tell you how it is,” said Mayo, when commenting on Slater, via 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Alex Barth.

It’s certainly a benefit to have a guy like Slater around the organization.

He was one of the pillars of the franchise during his career, and now, he is paying it forward by helping to coach up the next generation of players after him.

Former UCLA Bruin Matthew Slater hired by Patriots

Matthew Slater joining Patriots coaching staff.

Former UCLA wide receiver Matthew Slater retired this offseason after a successful 16-year NFL career with the New England Patriots. But his retirement did not last long. 

According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Slater is back with the Patriots in a full-time role as a coach. Slater, a team captain and three-time Super Bowl winner, was a staple of the Patriots in the 2010s. 

“One notable behind-the-scenes development over the past few weeks came with longtime captain Matthew Slater accepting a full-time position with the Patriots, according to sources.”

Playing primarily as a special teamer, Slater was the heart and soul of New England as a leader on and off the field. Now, Slater returns to the Patriots in a role described by Reiss as a “right-hand man” to first-year head coach Jerod Mayo. 

Joining fellow teammate Dont’a Hightower, who also joined the coaching staff as an inside linebackers coach following his retirement, Slater hopes to work as a liaison to Mayo and the players. 

Without Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, the Patriots in 2024 will look markedly different than in recent memory. But with former Belichick disciple Slater back on the coaching staff, the former Bruin slater will continue his legacy. 

Special teams legend Matthew Slater’s new full-time role with Patriots revealed

Matthew Slater is back with the Patriots, and here’s what he’s doing full-time

Two months after announcing his retirement from football, Matthew Slater is already back with the New England Patriots with a new gig.

According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, the special teams legend is reportedly being described as the “right-hand man” to Jerod Mayo, who is making his head coaching debut in 2024.

Reiss wrote:

One source described his role as a “right-hand man” to first-year head coach Mayo, providing Mayo a sounding board on football and team building, as well as assistance in “people development.”

More Slater is obviously a good thing for the team.

Not only was he one of the most productive players on the field, but he was also one of the greatest locker room leaders in franchise history. The Patriots getting to keep that part intact in a rebuilding year should be considered a big win for the organization.

There’s one major roster building hurdle left to clear at the 2024 NFL draft, where the Patriots hope to mold the next crop of talent in Slater’s image.

Did Jabrill Peppers reveal Matthew Slater’s new role with Patriots?

Matthew Slater might be retired, but he isn’t leaving football entirely

Former New England Patriots special teams ace Matthew Slater may have retired following the 2023 season, but he might not be walking away from football entirely.

He has been seen at Gillette Stadium greeting returning players for the voluntary offseason program. That had many wondering if he’d accepted a different role within the Patriots’ organization.

According to safety Jabrill Peppers, the special teams legend has been in the building as an advisor.

“I’m happy we kept him in the building,” said Peppers, when speaking with media members.

Slater was a key piece for the Patriots throughout the entirety of his career. He made 10 Pro Bowls, as well as being named to the Patriots’ All-2010s Team, and All-Dynasty Team.

Although he may not have a definitive role, Slater’s attendance is undoubtedly an asset for the team. His steadfast presence and football knowledge make him a valuable member of the organization both on and off the field.

Patriots surprised by familiar face to kick-start offseason program

A former Patriots legend was in the building for Day 1 of the voluntary offseason program

New England Patriots players returned to Gillette Stadium on Monday for Day 1 of the voluntary offseason program, and there was a familiar face waiting to greet them upon arrival.

That face belonged to special teams legend Matthew Slater.

The 10-time Pro Bowler officially announced his retirement from football back in February. So what was he doing with the Patriots on the first day of their voluntary workouts?

Many have already taken to social media in hopes that the team has carved out a coaching role for the future Hall of Famer. However, there’s also the possibility that Slater was simply hanging around and supporting the team.

The best case scenario is Slater getting an itch for coaching and choosing to serve in a mentoring role for the Patriots. At the very least, that would mean New England wouldn’t have to say goodbye to the “awww yeah” team breakdowns in the locker room.

Jerod Mayo is already taking inside linebackers coach Dont’a Hightower along for the ride in his first ever head coaching opportunity. Could Slater be next?

Legendary special teamer Matthew Slater reveals he almost left Patriots for AFC rival

If not for a last-minute phone call from Bill Belichick, Matthew Slater claims he almost left the Patriots for a longtime AFC rival

Former New England Patriots special teams ace Matthew Slater revealed he almost left New England and became a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Slater made this revelation on Julian Edelman’s “Games with Names” podcast.

It’s hard to imagine Slater signing with anybody else but New England. He was a staple on the team’s special teams unit and ended up forging a 16-year career with the organization.

Nevertheless, there was a time when his contract was up in 2018, and negotiations were not going smoothly. Slater was probably closer to leaving New England than anybody had realized.

“I almost left,” Slater said. “They were trying to hardball me in negotiations. I almost had to get out of there. I almost had to pull the emergency chute and get out of there.”

A last-ditch phone call from Bill Belichick brought Slater back to the organization.

“I got the call in the airport,” said Slater. “Needless to say, I signed back.”

It would’ve been very strange to see Slater in anything but a Patriots uniform. He ended up being a constant for New England from start to finish and established himself as one of the all-time great special teamers to ever play the game.