Patriots' Slater gets two-year extension

Nov 26, 2014 - 9:11 PM Foxboro, MA (SportsNetwork.com) - The New England Patriots prevented special teams ace Matthew Slater from hitting the open market in the offseason, with the wide receiver agreeing to terms on a two-year extension on Wednesday.

Financial terms were not disclosed, though an ESPN report said the deal is worth $4 million and includes a $100,000 bonus if Slater is selected to the Pro Bowl.

Slater has been named to the Pro Bowl as the AFC's special teamer in each of the last three years and was a first team All-Pro in both 2011 and 2012. The 29-year-old has recorded 83 special teams tackles since 2010.

"He's really pretty much a model player. I'd love to have 53 guys like him," said Patriots head coach Bill Belichick of Slater.

"His personality, his intelligence, his toughness, his character -- both on and off the field -- his leadership is all exemplary. You couldn't really find anything any better."

Slater, the son of Hall of Fame offensive tackle Jackie Slater, was in the final season of a three-year contract he signed in March of 2012. The UCLA product entered the NFL as a fifth-round draft pick of New England in 2008.