As 2025 approaches, the New England Patriots are placing their hopes on new head coach Mike Vrabel to revive the team following a tumultuous 2024 season. In a notable early decision, Vrabel chose not to retain a cherished assistant from the previous coaching staff. Matthew Slater, a revered figure with an impressive 16-year NFL career and ten Pro Bowl honors as a special teams gunner, was brought on board by former head coach Jerod Mayo as a special assistant. Given Slater’s reputation as potentially the greatest special teams player of all time, it was understandable that Mayo and many in the coaching community valued his presence in an assistant role.
However, Vrabel appears to be steering the Patriots in a different direction, avoiding any remnants of the past coaching regime. According to Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, Slater’s position will not transition into Vrabel’s new era. This decision is intriguing, especially considering Slater’s substantial impact, as he was more than just an average special teams coach. Patriots quarterback Drake Maye recently highlighted Slater as a vital mentor during his rookie year, stating how Slater aided him in “all aspects of life” throughout that season. Given Maye’s significance to the Patriots’ future, it’s likely that he would have advocated for Slater’s retention, had he been consulted.
As it stands, Vrabel is focusing on his own approach without the assistance of former coaches from before his tenure. It will be fascinating to observe whether Slater’s absence will influence the Patriots’ performance in the upcoming season. Without Slater’s guidance, there’s a possibility that Maye might struggle as he transitions into his sophomore year in the NFL. Regardless, it’s evident that Vrabel has a strategy in place to revamp the Patriots organization, even if it doesn’t include Matthew Slater.
