It's hard to tell that Patriots special-teams star Matthew Slater has retired based on his attendance at the team's offseason workout program, which started this week.
A photo showed Slater entering the facility alongside wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster on Monday.
Good look at newly retired Matthew Slater, Bible in hand, back at Gillette Stadium on Day 1 of the Patriots’ offseason program. https://t.co/iLR12UDhso pic.twitter.com/mlI5Ko8800
— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) April 9, 2024
So, what is his role?
Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers said on Monday, "It said advisor." "I'm not exactly sure what that means."
"I didn't think he was finished anyway. I think this is his way to stay involved but reduce the strain on his body, spend more time with family, and still be part of the organization."
Slater retired after winning three Super Bowls, being named All-Pro eight times, and selected to the Pro Bowl 10 times.
Extra points
Cornerback Logan Ryan, who won two Super Bowls with the Patriots, announced his retirement on Tuesday. Ryan was drafted in the third round from Rutgers in 2013 and played in the secondary for years alongside college teammates Devin McCourty and Duron Harmon. Peppers praised new head coach Jerod Mayo and expressed relief that the team didn't lose him during the offseason. He also had kind words for former head coach Bill Belichick."I'm grateful for Bill. He's someone I really look up to and respect. … I will always be grateful to Bill. But ultimately, it's a business." Peppers doesn't think Belichick is finished coaching. The veteran safety also openly discussed the NFL's new rule prohibiting swivel hip-drop tackles."I don't like it. I don't understand how it will be enforced. Is it a 15-yard penalty, or is it a personal foul? If someone does it twice, are they ejected from the game? I have many questions about it, like what are the criteria for drawing a flag? Because it will likely be based on the optics when we make a hard hit rather than a specific protocol for when the flag is thrown. We don't know. I'm sure we'll figure it out in the preseason."
