It didn’t take long for a recently retired New England Patriots legend to rejoin the team. New head coach Jerod Mayo is keeping it in the family by adding another familiar face for the upcoming season.
The “Patriot Way” is set to continue
New England has a history of keeping the “Patriot Way” by hiring former players to join the coaching staff. Following his playing career, Mayo joined Bill Belichick’s coaching staff as an inside linebackers coach for the 2019 season. He would stay there for five seasons before being named Belichick’s successor for the head coaching job this offseason.
Matthew Slater to rejoin the New England Patriots
Mayo has a new opportunity for Matthew Slater. After announcing his retirement in February, the Patriots eight-time All-Pro wide receiver is reportedly set to join the Patriots coaching staff. According to Mike Reiss of ESPN, Slater will work closely with Mayo:
“Slater had other opportunities he could have pursued but elected to stay with the franchise he played for from 2008 to 2023. 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.”
Mayo was a first-round draft pick of the Patriots in 2008, while Slater was a fifth-round pick that year, so they’ve known each other since that time. Once Mayo pursued a career in coaching, he had previously told Slater it was one of his dreams for them to work together in hopes of developing something in which they could be proud.”
Slater is knowledgeable about special teams
Slater could help the Patriots with their specials teams strategy for the upcoming season. Slater was a special teams standout during his playing career with the Patriots.
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