Patriots Extend Special Teams Captain Matthew Slater For 2-Years
The Patriots have given Slater a two-year contract extension. (USA TODAY Images) |
Matthew Slater has been an intricate player on special teams for the Patriots in recent years and it appears they'd like to make sure he stays here.
According to ESPN Boston's Field Yates, the Patriots have agreed to terms with the special teams captain on a 2-year deal that will keep him here in New England through 2016.
The deal is reportedly worth $4-million and includes $3 million in guaranteed money, including $2 million up front in the form of a signing bonus along with his 2015 base salary of $1 million. Yates also reports that Slater will receive a base salary of $1 million for 2016, and incentives each season of $100,000.
Slater has been such a terrific and solid player on special teams for New England, and Bill Belichick praised him during his press conference on Wednesday.
"Matt does a lot of things for us," said Belichick. "Obviously he's a very good player on the field, professional, works hard, does a great job with all the players, younger players, but also his peers. He's very well-respected in the locker room, not just by the players but by the entire organization by the way he goes about his job, how dependable he is, his work ethic, his attitude, his toughness. He's really such a model player. I'd love to have 53 guys like him."
Fortunately for now he'll have him for at least two more seasons.