For the past two seasons, Matthew Slater has been the Patriots’ longest-serving player. By re-signing with the team on Monday, he ensured that streak would extend for another year.
“I wasn’t going to go anywhere else,” Slater told reporters Thursday. “Not that my services would have been sought elsewhere anyway – who knows? But I certainly appreciate the conversations I had with the coach (Belichick) where he saw this happen. And I’m glad it worked. »
Slater said the negotiations leading up to him signing a one-year, $2.47 million contract were pretty straightforward.
“It was nice to have a conversation with Bill about where he saw me, where he saw me going, where I saw myself and what it would be like. I appreciate the coach taking the time to sit down with me and discuss it,” Slater said. “I always appreciated the coach for the opportunity he gave me to be part of this football team. … For him to want me back here, it really means a lot to me.
Slater, 36, has re-signed with the team three times in the past five offseasons. He has now just completed his 10th Pro Bowl campaign and his 11th year as team captain. He said he had joked with fellow longtime captain Devin McCourty, who also resigned, that he would not return unless McCourty did.
Slater and McCourty are now gearing up for their 13th season together in New England.
