Dont’a Hightower and Matthew Slater were not retained to be on Mike Vrabel’s coaching staff for the 2025 season. Both Hightower and Slater made their NFL coaching debuts in the 2024 campaign under first-year head coach Jerod Mayo, who previously played with the standout linebacker and special teams ace.

But while Hightower and Slater no longer have an office at One Patriot Place, that doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t be seen around the facility moving forward.

“Former Patriots greats Matthew Slater, Dont’a Hightower and Troy Brown weren’t retained on staff,” ESPN’s Mike Reiss wrote in a column published Sunday. “Slater and Hightower initially came aboard due to their personal ties to Jerod Mayo, and it’s unclear whether they still want to coach.

“Nonetheless, Vrabel has told those in the organization he wants to make sure all former players are welcomed back in the building. After all, he’s one of them.”

Vrabel’s open-door policy for franchise greats might have already been on display. While Dante Scarnecchia denied having any involvement with the team, Bill O’Brien recently claimed the Patriots Hall of Famer had been around Gillette Stadium to help out with the offensive line.

So, who knows, maybe New England fans will see Hightower and Slater on the practice fields this summer.