When we think about all-time great Patriots from the last 25 years, our heads go to the obvious: the G.O.A.T. Tom Brady, a top two tight end of all time in Gronk, Super Bowl MVP Julian Edelman, Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore -- the list goes on.
While most people across the league can recognize the greatness of the more obvious offensive and defensive stars, we often overlook a ten-time Pro Bowler.
Ten Pro Bowls is unimaginable for any player. It's on par with Aaron Rodgers, Barry Sanders, Joe Thomas, and Aaron Donald. Now, imagine ten Pro Bowls for a player listed as a wide receiver who has one career catch for 46 yards.
Slater's special teams acumen is nothing short of ridiculous. Since PFF began grading special teams in 2013, he fell below the 70 mark just twice for his overall grade, and scored an elite score of 91 for the season in 2019.
Matthew Slater beat out notable top players for the job
Slater received 15 votes for The MMQB's All-Quarter Century team, with the next highest being another former Patriot, Larry Izzo, who received ten votes. In comparison to Slater, Izzo's resume isn't quite as good, although still ridiculous. Each has a trio of Super Bowl rings, but Slater has seven more Pro Bowls and four more All-Pros to his name.
Three-time Pro Bowler and Boston-born Kassim Osgood fits into the number three spot. Another former Patriot, Justin Bethel, was also an honorable mention with a single vote.
There's no doubt that the Patriots have had a top special teams unit over the past quarter-century. Steven Gostkowski and Nick Folk were consistent kickers, Ryan Allen a Super Bowl champion, and Jake Bailey an All-Pro in 2020.
Marcus Jones led the NFL in punt return yards in 2022, earning his first All-Pro. The aforementioned Izzo, Bethel, and, of course, Slater himself made for some excellent coverage players.
Now, special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer will look to rebuild the special teams unit. The Patriots selected Andres Borregales and Julian Ashby to be their new kicker and long snapper on day three of the draft. Punter Bryce Baringer and return man Marcus Jones will remain staples, while Brenden Schooler seems to have taken the reins as the next big thing in the special teams world.
Despite the recent departure of Slater, the future Patriot Hall of Famer should have as good a shot as anyone at making it to Canton, and the team has continued to produce high-quality special teams play since his departure. There's no one more deserving of the All-Quarter Century squad than Slate.