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2022 NFL free agency: What re-signing Matthew Slater means for the Patriots

The New England Patriots’ first move after the official opening of the NFL’s legal tampering window involved a familiar face. The team is reportedly retaining long-time team captain and special teams ace Matthew Slater on a one-year, $2.62 million contract.

Slater staying put was expected. Despite already being 36 years old, the future Patriots (and Pro Football?) Hall of Famer was getting ready to return for a 15th NFL season and there was only one team realistically signing him: the one that originally drafted him in 2008.

What does Slater returning for another season mean, though?