New England Patriots: Examining team’s 6 key free agents
By Sam Minton
![FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 04: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots addresses the media in a press conference following the Patriots 20-13 loss to the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 04: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots addresses the media in a press conference following the Patriots 20-13 loss to the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/2ebd8cb33ad22061c4a0dbaf96df738472f3c6a425e9d6d6702ba6522a85a08c.jpg)
Matthew Slater
Once again Matthew Slater is a free agent. The special teams phenom signed a 2-year contract before the start of the 2018 season.
Slater might seem easily replaceable, but I think he is an important part of the team. He goes above and beyond and is a great leader in the locker room.
If Slater does want to come back, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was to a 1-year deal. He is definitely getting closer to the end of his career.
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I would expect Slater to play 1 more season and if the Patriots are able to get to the Super Bowl he would then retire.
Players like McCourty and Slater likely would have retired if the Patriots had more success in the playoffs. I guess in a way the Wild Card wakeup might actually help New England.
Fans should expect Matthew Slater to be back with the New England Patriots next season.