Matthew Slater returns to Patriots on two-year deal

Matthew Slater is returning to New England despite a brief flirtation with the enemy.

The special teams ace got a two-year deal with the Patriots, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss. Slater had visited the Pittsburgh Steelers over the weekend, which may have given New England somewhat of a scare.

Slater is the Patriots’ special teams captain and has made the Pro Bowl seven straight years as a special teams player. Even though his name doesn’t show up in the boxscore a ton, you get the sense that he is one of those glue-guys the Patriots would not have wanted to lose.

Slater has been with the Pats since being drafted by them in the 5th round in 2008.