Matthew Slater Says His Heart Was Always With the Patriots

FOXBORO, Mass. — Special teams captain Matthew Slater said his heart with always with the Patriots, which made the contract extension an easy agreement.

Slater, a free agent for the first time, signed a three-year deal last month to remain in New England. He didn't discuss whether or not he had conversations with other teams, but he wasn't exactly peering around the corner, either. The Patriots' fifth-round pick in 2008 was happy to re-up.

"My heart was here all along," Slater said. "I wanted to be here. I was just happy they felt the same way about me and they wanted me back. For me, it was a no-brainer. I'm just very thankful they wanted me back here, and they've given me an opportunity to continue my career here, just as they did four years ago. They gave me an opportunity to keep playing football when maybe not a lot of people would have. I'm just thankful to be here.''

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