The New England Patriots named their captains in preparation for Thursday’s season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Quarterback Tom Brady, offensive linemen Ryan Wendell and Nate Solder, safety Devin McCourty, linebacker Jerod Mayo, defensive end Rob Ninkovich and special-teamer Matthew Slater were voted captains, the team announced Tuesday.
Wendell and Solder are first-time captains, taking over for former Patriots offensive lineman Dan Connolly, who retired over the offseason.
This is the 14th consecutive season Brady has been named captain. Mayo has been a captain since 2009, while McCourty and Slater are entering their fifth seasons as captains. Ninkovich was named a captain midway through the 2013 season, when Mayo and former Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork went down with injuries. Ninkovich wasn’t a captain in 2014, however.
Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images
