Patriots Rumors: Matthew Slater Is 'Right-Hand Man' to HC Jerod Mayo After Contract

Longtime New England Patriots special teams ace Matthew Slater retired this offseason, but he isn't going anywhere.

According to ESPN's Mike Reiss, Slater has taken on a "full-time position" with the team, and he'll reportedly be the "'right-hand man' to first-year head coach Jerod Mayo, providing Mayo a sounding board on football and team building, as well as assistance in 'people development.'"

The pair were in the same draft class for the Patriots back in 2008, and Reiss noted that "once Mayo pursued a career in coaching, he had previously told Slater it was one of his dreams for them to work together in hopes of developing something in which they could be proud."

They'll have quite a rebuild on their hands in the aftermath of Bill Belichick moving on from the team. He helped bring six titles to New England alongside former quarterback Tom Brady, who the team has yet to adequately replace under center.

Perhaps this year with the No. 3 overall pick, the team will finally find a suitable successor. It would certainly make the jobs of Mayo and Slater a bit easier.