There hasn’t been much in the way of positives to speak on when it comes to the New England Patriots’ 2023 season, unless the conversation is strictly on the defensive side of the football.
Surprisingly, however, when it comes to the fan voting for the 2024 Pro Bowl Games, it was special teams that came into focus for the Patriots. So far, rookie punter Bryce Baringer and legendary special-teamer Matthew Slater are the only two Patriots players in the top-10 of fan voting for the event.
Even more surprising, Baringer currently has the second-highest votes at the punter position behind Tennessee Titans punter Ryan Stonehouse. With Stonehouse sidelined with a season-ending injury, Baringer could get his first Pro Bowl nod as a rookie, if he continues to lead voting.
Slater is currently in ninth place in fan voting as a special-teamer, which is incredible for a 38-year-old player that considered retirement in the offseason. He’s the greatest to ever do it and still one of the best in the game to this very day.
Expanded breakdown of Pro Bowl Games voting with the top 10 by position: pic.twitter.com/wN2aFH1Y8u
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 6, 2023
The Patriots could use all of the moral victories they can get with the team sitting at 2-10 on the season. Baringer and Slater getting into the Pro Bowl would certainly count as one of them.
