Patriots’ Matthew Slater noncommittal about retirement, and is among several veterans with uncertain futures - masslive.com


Patriots’ Matthew Slater noncommittal about retirement, and is among several veterans with uncertain futures

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Matthew Slater said he still had some thinking and praying to do before he decides whether he’ll return for a 15th NFL season.

But the Patriots’ longtime special teams star sounded like a guy who knew this could be the end of the line. He might not be alone. The Patriots have a handful of veteran players whose time in New England or the NFL could be over.

“I don’t want to disrespect the team and what we just went through and talk about my personal situation obviously. I’m closer to the end. We all know that,” Slater said. “I’ll pray about it and make a final decision and have some conversations. But tonight I just want to make sure I express gratitude to people that I owe it to and take time to be reflective, not only for the experience this year, but the entirety of my career.”

Slater has repeatedly said how much he’s enjoyed this season and this collection of teammates. He was named an All-Pro special teamer early this week in his 14th season. At 36 years old, he can clearly still play and there isn’t a more respected player in New England’s locker room. But he has ambitious postplaying career plans as a minister. He took time before deciding to play this year.

Devin McCourty is still an excellent NFL safety and one of Belichick’s most trusted players as he has been over the past 12 years. McCourty has at least pondered retirement before. The 34-year-old will have to decide how much more he wants to put his body through.

Dont’a Hightower opted out last year for COVID concerns. He’s just 31, but his body has taken a pounding over nine seasons. He was part of a linebacking corps that as a group looked slow at times. He could choose to retire or the Patriots could choose to get younger. Jamie Collins, 32, is in a similar situation.

James White missed most of the year with an injury and is unsigned at 29.

Patriots running backs coach Ivan Fears declined to talk about whether he planned to coach next year when asked about his future this week. Fears is 67 and has coached in the NFL for four decades.

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SRC: https://www.masslive.com/patriots/2022/01/patriots-matthew-slater-noncommittal-about-retirement-and-is-among-several-veterans-with-uncertain-futures.html

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