Could The Patriots Replace Matthew Slater With This Player?
The New England Patriots have had a rough offseason. After legendary head coach Bill Belichick parted ways from the team, the Patriots also got the unfortunate news that longtime special teamer Matthew Slater is retiring. The 38-year-old was the longest-tenured player on the team entering the 2023 season and is one of the greatest ever to play the position. Now without Slater, could the Patriots replace the legend with Pittsburgh Steelers special teams safety Miles Killebrew in a trade?
Miles Killebrew Could Improve Patriots' Special Teams
Miles Killebrew was drafted to play safety in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He scored his first touchdown in 2017 off a pick-six thrown by Carson Palmer and played linebacker during the 2019 and 2020 seasons. After not re-signing with the Lions, Killebrew signed with the Steelers in 2021 where he has been a key contributor on special teams ever since.
Killebrew blocked two punts in his first season in the 412 and added another blocked punt this past season in the Steelers' win over the Baltimore Ravens. He was selected as an All-Pro after the 2023 NFL season.
While losing a big player like Slater hurts, trading for Killebrew could really help New England. It wouldn't be the first time these two teams swapped special teams players. Gunner Olszewski was an All-Pro punt returner in 2020 with the New England Patriots and proceeded to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022 but was released a year later.
Although Killebrew recently signed a two-year extension in Pittsburgh, perhaps a fifth or sixth-round pick could change their mind. Should the Patriots get on the phone with the Steelers and make it happen?
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