Matthew Slater Understands Fans Wanting to Tank

Despite the team’s troubles, Matthew Slater keeps doing what he has always done. The 10-time Pro Bowl selection, and tw0-time All-Pro, will continue doing whatever he can to help New England win. He plays to win. However, he understands if Patriots fans do not currently share his goals.

Fans rooting for their favorite team to lose does not make a lot of sense on the surface. But when the team in question has no hope at a playoff spot, and great chance at a high pick, priorities shift. That is exactly what has happened with a good portion of New England Patriots fans in 2023. Matthew Slater gets it.

Slater joined WEEI’s Jones & Mego with Arcand show earlier this week. The hosts asked him out he felt about fans that were rooting for the Patriots to lose in order to improve their draft position.

“I personally try to put myself in positions to understand everyone’s mode of thinking. I understand that rationale,” said Slater. He added, “I get that, and I don’t have a problem with it. I’m not offended by it at all.”

However, Slater also made clear that understanding the wishes of the fans and sharing them are two different things entirely.

“As easy as it is for the fans or pundits to look ahead to the future, as a player your future is never guaranteed. Especially for something in my position,” he explained. “I think as players it’s up to us to embrace the opportunities that we are given and treat them like they’re our last. So, the idea of losing games, or tanking, will never appeal to players.”

This mindset contributes to keeping Slater in the league for 16 years. Patriots Football Now addressed the idea of tanking earlier this season.The special teams ace addressed one of them with tomorrow never being a given in an NFL career. This year’s team cannot be concerned with next year’s team, one which will not include a great deal of them. NFL careers are too short and unpredictable.

Although Matthew Slater can understand where fans of tanking are coming from, Patriots fans in that category should not expect any assistance from him. As far as Slater is concerned, “I want to win the next six games.” Fans of his illustrious career would expect nothing less.