Matthew Slater, one of the best special teams players in NFL history, was nearly a Steeler. During an interview with former New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman, presenter of the popular “Games with Names” podcast, Edelman discussed the 2018 season, noting that the band remained together when Slater re-signed with the Patriots. Slater then interjected to point out that it almost didn’t happen.
“Almost left,” Slater said. “Pittsburgh. They were trying to hardball me in negotiations. I had to almost pull the emergency chute, get out of there.”
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The Steelers showing interest in Slater is not brand new news.
The Steelers’ interest in Slater is not new news. In March 2018, ESPN’s Field Yates reported that Slater was in Pittsburgh to meet with the team. Three days later, he signed a new two-year contract with New England worth $5.2 million. Slater did not specify what form of “hardball” the Steelers were playing.
NFL Notes: Slater’s effect extended well beyond the field.
Sitting in a small office wearing a knit winter cap and glasses, Matthew Slater does not strike the most intimidating pose among his teammates. In a league with players built like Greek Gods, Slater’s modest 6-0, 205-pound frame doesn’t scream Hall of Famer.
But listening to his strong words of leadership and desire makes it easy to understand why Bill Belichick leaned on him as one of the most important Patriots of his generation.
That day, Slater decided to return for a 16th season in New England, and the reasons he did so had little to do with football. Part of it was to get the stench of the way the 2022 season ended – a pair of Nyheim Hines kickoff returns for touchdowns in the finale at Buffalo – out of his memory. But it also had to do with his desire to continue to have an impact that stretched well beyond the field. His mere presence was enough to garner attention from teammates, and his tutelage was seen annually on the training camp fields in Foxborough, where his routine differed from that of most any other player in the league.
“I do believe that my role at this point is not just about covering kicks, blocking for returners,” Slater said a few days after agreeing to return a year ago. “I think it’s about fostering culture, building relationships and pouring into young men. You can do that in other capacities but the way you do that as a player is very different. The way you’re able to connect with guys is very different.
“That’s something I still have a lot of passion for and that’s something I certainly wasn’t ready to walk away from. That factored in huge into the decision because I feel like there are certain things you can do as a player that you can’t do as an administrator or as a staff member. Things I felt like were unfinished in terms of relationships and culture so that definitely factored in.”
With yet another exemplary season of commitment, leadership and perseverance under his belt, Salter decided to walk away from the game, announcing his retirement after 16 seasons. His professionalism is as high as any player who ever donned an NFL uniform, right alongside his Hall of Fame father Jackie Slater. That much was apparent right from the start.
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