Matthew Slater’s decision to return for a 16th NFL season will have a minimal impact on the New England Patriots’ 2023 salary cap.
ESPN’s Field Yates on Monday reported the details of Slater’s new contract. It’s a one-year, $2.7 million deal that will carry a modest cap hit of $1.3 million.
Why so low? Because Slater’s new pact reportedly was designated as a “four-year qualifying contract.” Here’s how NFL.com explains those:
Four-year qualifying contract: Another type of veteran salary benefit, it can be offered to a player with at least four credited seasons whose contract with a team has expired after being on said team for four or more consecutive, uninterrupted league years prior to his contract expiring.