ICYMI: Matthew Slater Looks Back On His Time As Teammates With Julian Edelman, “He Was So Unique”

Robert Alvarez

2 years ago at 4:12 pm ET

Joe Camporeale - USA TODAY Sports

For 11 seasons, Julian Edelman and Matthew Slater were teammates on the New England Patriots, and for the first four, members of the same special teams unit before Edelman’s full time transition to wide receiver began in 2013.

Earlier this spring, Edelman announced his retirement from football citing nagging health issues.

On Monday, Slater took some time to reflect back on his longtime teammate relationship with Edelman now that the 2021 season will mark the first season they won’t be together in the locker room since Slater’s rookie season in 2008. Slater is presently the longest tenured player on the Patriot roster.

“There’s not going to be another Julian Edelman who comes through here. He was so unique”, Slater told reporters.

Edelman later reacted to Slater’s comments in a tweet Tuesday with complements back at him.

“Slate taught me more than he’ll ever know. How to be a professional on the field and a better man off of it. Class act through and through”, Edelman wrote.

You can read Slater’s full quote about Edelman, the legacy he leaves behind, and what the Patriots need to do to replace him in the tweet below.

Slate taught me more than he’ll ever know. How to be a professional on the field and a better man off of it. Class act through and through. https://t.co/vHuxyoekIn

— Julian Edelman (@Edelman11) June 15, 2021