Sweet 16: Slater making a return
Belichick, Kraft thrilled to welcome back captain
The captain is coming back.
Matthew Slater is returning for a 16th season with the Patriots, the team announced Friday. Slater, the Pats’ longest-tenured player and captain, had been contemplating retirement. Over his career, the 10-time Pro Bowler has been recognized as one of the greatest special teams players in NFL history.
“Matt’s incredible career is a testament to his preparation and will to succeed,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said in a statement. “We are thrilled he will be playing this season.”
Slater, 37, joined the Patriots as a fifth-round pick out in the 2008 NFL Draft. He was first voted a captain in 2010 and has earned the honor in every season since. Slater’s won three Super Bowls in New England, where he’s also been named to two All-Pro teams and more Pro Bowls than any other special teams player in league history.
“I thank God for His continued grace and provision over my career,” Slater said in a statement. “I look forward to continuing to play under the leadership of Coach Belichick. Thank you to the Kraft family and the entire Patriots organization for allowing me to continue to pursue my childhood dream. See you in the fall. God Bless.”
Last season, Slater posted 13 special teams tackles, second-most on the team behind rookie Brenden Schooler. His return answers one question for the Patriots’ leadership. Fellow captain and longtime veteran Devin McCourty has yet to announce whether he will return or retire with his contract expiring next month.
Like McCourty, Slater is a lock to make the Patriots Hall of Fame one day, though owner Robert Kraft took it one step further in comments made Friday.
“Matthew’s drive to be the best at what he does will one day earn him enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame,” Kraft said in the statement. “Yet, as stellar as his football career has been, he is an even better person. He is led by his faith and spirituality, dedicated to his family and committed to his craft. There is no better leader for our younger players to follow and no better ambassador for the Patriots organization. He is truly special, and I am grateful that his contributions to the team will continue.”
Cards request Covington
The Cardinals have requested an interview with Patriots defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington for their defensive coordinator position, per the NFL Network.
This would mark Covington’s first interview for a coordinator job. The 33-yearold has a connection with new Arizona GM Monti Ossenfort, a former Patriots executive. Covington would join newly named Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon, who previously served as the Eagles’ defensive coordinator.
Covington is well-respected inside the locker room and has aspirations of becoming a head coach one day. He joined the Patriots in 2017 after serving as Eastern Illinois’ co-defensive coordinator/defensive line coach. Along with the defensive line, Covington has also coached linebackers.
He recently served as a defensive coordinator at the Senior Bowl, an annual showcase for college prospects, while Belichick and the rest of the Patriots assistants worked the East-West Shrine Bowl.
Last October, Belichick spoke to Covington’s ability and impact on his coaching staff
“DeMarcus does a really good job,” Belichick said last month. “I met him at Chattanooga and kind of got to know him there. Hired him later in that spring. … I’m sure he could coach a lot of positions on defense. Young guy that’s really smart, works hard. Has worked with a lot of different types of players, even on our defensive line. That difference between our interior guys and our outside guys is quite distinct.”
Pats release DL Ray
The Patriots release defensive lineman LaBryan Ray on Friday. Ray, 25, did not appear in any games last season.
The Pats signed Ray as an undrafted free agent out of Alabama last spring. The 6-foot-4, 290-pounder was released at the end of training camp and then signed to the practice squad. Ray was placed on practice squad injured reserve on Oct. 26.
His release followed the Patriots cutting wide receiver Kristian Wilkerson, defensive back Tae Hayes and kicker Quinn Nordin on Wednesday. Of the three, only Hayes saw game action in 2022.