The New England Patriots made significant changes to their coaching staff as they entered the Mike Vrabel era in Foxborough. However, those changes also included some notable departures, one of which was longtime Patriots special teamer-turned-coach Matthew Slater, who will not return for the 2025 season.
Slater joined the staff as an assistant to Jerod Mayo before the 2024 season and was often considered Mayo’s right-hand man. But with Mayo and several other assistants now gone, Slater is also moving on. Instead of continuing in football, he has decided to focus on his personal life with his wife and children.
“I’m a dad and a husband, and that is what’s right for me right now,” Slater told WBZ-TV’s Dan Roche. “That’s what I’m most excited about doing. I’ve put that on hold for a lot of years, and that’s what I’m going to do in the near future… I’ve had a tremendous experience as a Patriot. They’ve been nothing but good to me. They allowed me to live out my childhood dream, and I’m very thankful for that. I’m thankful for all the Kraft family has done for me, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. I’ll always be a Patriots fan and always support the team. Right now, it’s important that I support my family, and that’s what I’m going to do moving forward.”
Slater, drafted by the Patriots in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft, became a cornerstone of the franchise for over a decade. During his 16-year career, he earned 10 Pro Bowl selections, two All-Pro honors, and won three Super Bowls, cementing himself as one of the greatest special teams players in NFL history.
His absence marks a significant shift for New England, as this will be the first time since 2007 that the team moves forward without him. However, with Vrabel leading a new chapter for the franchise, the Patriots are embracing change.
Although Slater won’t be on the coaching staff, his connections to Vrabel and the organization could keep him involved with the team in some capacity. For now, though, his focus remains on his family and life beyond football.
