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3 New England Patriots who won’t be back for the 2023 season

By Alicia de Artola

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones, head coach Bill Belichick and senior football advisor Matt Patricia. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones, head coach Bill Belichick and senior football advisor Matt Patricia. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports) /
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Patriots, Matthew Slater
New England Patriots wide receiver Matthew Slater. (Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports) /

Matthew Slater

Patriots fans will be eager to see the back of Matt Patricia. The same can’t be said when it comes to Matthew Slater.

The longtime special teams standout for the Patriots is mulling retirement at the age of 37 after three Super Bowls, two first-team All-Pro selections and 10 Pro Bowl appearances.

Slater signed a one-year extension to come back in 2022, so he’d need to work out another deal with New England to come back.

Truthfully, watching his postgame press conference after the Patriots lost to the Bills in the regular-season finale, it’s reasonable to expect a retirement.

https://twitter.com/NBCSPatriots/status/1612204994564083712

Slater was emotional on the field after the game. He was tearful as he mused on his career but declined to comment on his potential retirement.

If Slater does retire, it’ll be the end of an era on special teams in New England. But hey, special teams coordinator Cam Achord could get the ax after a miserable season. If Slater wanted to get into coaching, New England would welcome him back, that’s for sure.

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