The Patriots season is over and the career of two of the franchise’s stalwarts may be over as well.
As the Bills rejoiced after their 32-23 win over New England, Patriot captains Devin McCourty and Mathew Slater held back tears. The pair, who have played a combined 28 seasons in New England, had already reckoned with their Foxboro farewell. As the Patriots filed off the field, playoff hopes dashed, they seemed to realize Sunday might have been their goodbyes to the lives they’ve lived for the past decade and a half.
“It’s been a great run”: Slater, McCourty share thoughts after possible Foxboro farewell
Although neither player explicitly stated they were hanging up the cleats, the Patriots’ post-game press conference sounded more like a eulogy than a game recap at points.