New England Patriots: 5 Players that should be re-signed for 2020
5. Matthew Slater
One of the leaders on the roster for the New England Patriots over the last few seasons has been veteran special teams specialist Matthew Slater. If Slater decides to return for the 2020 season and doesn’t lean towards retirement before the new year kicks off, the 34-year-old could be a prime candidate for the Patriots to try and retain going into the season.
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Although Slater wasn’t a huge difference-maker among the New England squad in 2019, veteran leadership and a player that is well-respected on the roster is a highly underrated attribute for a player to hold on a team.
That alone, mixed with his ability to also boost the Patriots special teams unit, could result in Slater finding his way back to New England in 2020.
During the 2019 campaign, Slater appeared in all 16 regular-season contests for the Patriots while completing his 12th season in the NFL and with New England after being drafted by the Patriots in the fifth round of the 2008 Draft.
Slater took the field in 71.9 percent of the special teams plays during the season, recording his first career punt block and first career special teams touchdown during the regular season as well.
His performance on the field resulted in him earning Special Teams All-Pro honors during the year, the second time he has earned that honor. He was also named to the Pro Bowl for the eighth time in his lengthy tenure in the league.
If he decides to lace them up yet again in 2020, Slater could be a cheap and valuable asset for the Patriots to re-sign going into the upcoming season.