FOXBORO — Matthew Slater is officially listed as a wide receiver on the Patriots roster, but he vowed two weeks ago in Germany that his days of being split out wide on offense are over.

The special teams captain has a different “honorary” position around Gillette Stadium, however.

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“He’s kind of an honorary offensive lineman,” center David Andrews said this morning. “He’s always been. It’s in his blood. I learned that very quickly when I was a rookie and having to buy sandwiches that I always bought one for Slater there on road games.”

Slater, who’s listed at 6 feet, 205 pounds, is a few inches short and 100 pounds too light to be an actual offensive lineman, unlike his father Pro Football Hall of Famer Jackie Slater.

“Just kind of has a similar mindset to the offensive line,” practice squad veteran offensive lineman James Ferentz said Wednesday. “Just always even-keeled, hard-worker, lead by example. All of the football cliches. You check the box. I just really enjoy Slate’s company as a human being. And being able to play ball with him is pretty special.”

But beyond his pedigree, what else makes Slater an “honorary offensive lineman?”

“That’s a great question,” he said laughing. “I think for me, I’m always curious. Naturally, because of my dad, like what’s going on in the room? I’ve sat down and I’ve talked scheme with David and James. I’ve asked a lot of questions. I’m curious about personnel. I don’t know.

“I think, more than any position on the field other than the ones I’ve played, that position piques my interest. And then you know, I just naturally have a great appreciation for what those guys do, what they mean to a football team. So, I appreciate them welcoming me into the circle all these years.”

Slater, who spent a large chunk of Wednesday’s open locker room session talking with Andrews and Ferentz, has never actually been part of an offensive line meeting but he did enjoy listening to legendary offensive line coach and Patriots Hall of Famer Dante Scarnecchia for years.

“One of my fondest memories here will be Fridays with Dante when he was installing goal line,” Slater said. “And I was more excited than anyone. ‘I can’t wait to hear this install.’ But so that was my little bit of a glimpse of being in the meeting room with them.”

Slater, a three-time Super Bowl champion, eight-time All-Pro and 10-time Pro Bowl selection, has not committed to playing in 2024. There are no non-kicker or non-punter special teams players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but if anyone has a case, it’s Slater. Bills legend Steve Tasker, a five-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowl selection, was previously viewed as the top special teams player in NFL history.

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick bestowed that honor on Slater this offseason.