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The Friday after the Super Bowl is not often a noteworthy day in lots of locations across the NFL, however that is not the case in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The Patriots introduced that particular groups captain Matthew Slater, who might be 38 by the point Week 1 rolls round in 2023, will return for his sixteenth NFL season. The 15-year veteran was the group’s fifth-round decide (153rd total) within the 2008 NFL Draft — the draft after New England’s near-perfect 18-1 season in 2007.
“It is a good honor and blessing to return to the Patriots for my sixteenth season,” Slater stated. “I thank God for His continued grace and provision over my profession. I stay up for persevering with to play below the management of Coach [Bill] Belichick. Thank you to the Kraft household and the complete Patriots group for permitting me to proceed to pursue my childhood dream. See you within the fall. God Bless.”
Slater ranks second in group historical past with 223 whole video games performed and is the group’s all-time chief with 172 whole particular groups tackles within the common season, and 23 particular groups tackles within the postseason.
“Matt’s unbelievable profession is a testomony to his preparation and can to succeed,” Belichick stated. “We are thrilled he might be taking part in this season.”
The 6-foot, 205-pound Slater is a 12-time group captain and has earned 10 Pro Bowl choices on particular groups, essentially the most particular groups Pro Bowl accolades in NFL historical past. Steve Tasker has the second most with seven Pro Bowl choices. The solely different gamers who had been lively through the 2022 NFL season with 10 or extra Pro Bowl nods had been Tampa Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (15) and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (10).
With Slater persevering with to play soccer, he and Rodgers — for now — rank as two of the longest-tenured lively gamers on their respective groups. Slater’s 15 seasons performed rank because the third-most such seasons within the NFL behind solely Rodgers’ 18 and kicker Mason Crosby’s 16 with the Green Bay Packers.
Below is an inventory of lively gamers with essentially the most consecutive seasons performed with their present groups:
*Punter Kevin Huber performed 14 consecutive seasons with the Bengals from 2009-2002, however was launched from the observe squad on Feb. 6.
With Slater persevering with to play NFL soccer in 2023, he can proceed padding his particular groups data in pursuit of a spot within the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Slater completed with 13 particular groups tackles final season for his eleventh 12 months with double-digit particular groups takedowns. Those 11 seasons with 10 or extra particular groups tackles are the most-such seasons within the NFL for the reason that begin of the twenty first Century.
